THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


THE 


BATTLE  OF  MOBILE  BAY, 

AND  THE  CAPTURE  OF 

FORTS  POWELL,  GAINES  AND  MORGAN, 

BY  THE 

COMBINED  SEA  AND  LAND  FORCES   OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 

UNDER  THE  COMMAND  OF 

REAR-ADMIRAL  DAVID' GLASGOW  FARRAGUT,  AND 
MAJOR-GENERAL  GORDON  GRANGER, 

AUGUST,  1864. 


BY 

COMMODORE  FOXHALL  A.  PARKER,  TJ.  S.  N., 

AUTHOR  OF  "  THE  FLEETS  OF  THE  WORLD,"  "  FLEET  TACTICS 

UNDER  STEAM,"  "  SQUADRON  TACTICS," 

ETC.,  ETC. 


ACCOMPANIED    BY  TWO   CHARTS, 

FEINTED  IN  COLORS. 


BOSTON: 
A.    WILLIAMS    &    CO., 

283  WASHINGTON  STREET. 

1878. 


COPYRIGHT, 
FOXHALL   A.  PABKEB, 

1878. 


Stereotyped  at  the  Boston  Stereotype  Foundry, 
No.  19  Spring  Lane. 


TO  THE 


WHO  SERVED  UNDER  FARRAGUT, 
DURING    THE    MONTH    OF    AUGUST,   1864, 


®^is  ftolunw  is 


550266 


PREFACE. 


REGARDING  the  reputation  for  intrepidity  gained  by 
Federal  and  Confederate  sailors  and  soldiers  during  our 
civil  war  as  the  common  heritage  of  the  American 
people,  I  determined,  last  year,  at  the  instance  of  The 
Military  Historical  Society  of  Massachusetts,  to  write 
the  story  of  Mobile  Bay :  This,  when  completed,  I  read 
before  the  Society,  (December  10th,  1877,)  and  the 
favorable  reception  it  met  with  has  induced  me  to  give 
it  to  the  public,  the  more  especially  as  it  is  accompa- 
nied with  a  number  of  official  reports,  never  before 
published,  which  cannot  fail  to  interest  the  general 
reader  and  be  of  value  to  the  historian. 

As  regards  my  own  work,  while  I  can  truly  say  I 
have  spared  no  pains  myself  to  insure  its  correctness 
and  completeness,  I  have  to  acknowledge  my  indebted- 
ness to  hosts  of  friends  for  their  hearty  co-operation 


6  PREFACE. 

in  my  task;  and  my  especial  thanks  are  due  to  Major- 
General  Dabney  H.  Maury,  of  the  late  Confederate 
army,  and  to  Professor  A.  D.  Wharton,  Principal  of 
the  Fogg  School,  at  Nashville,  Tennessee. 

F.  A.  P. 


U.  S.  NAVY  YARD,  BOSTON,  MASS., 

AprilS,  1878. 


THE 


BATTLE  OF  MOBILE  BAY, 


AND 


CAPTURE   OF  FORTS   MORGAN,   GAINES,  AND 
POWELL. 


THAT  arm  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  which,  extending  for 
thirty-five  miles  into  the  state  of  Alabama,  and  varying 
in  width  from  seven  to  fifteen  miles,  is  known  as  Mobile 
Bay,  will  ever  be  regarded  with  interest  by  the  student 
of  history ;  for  there  is  scarcely  a  rood  of  its  shores  but 
has  served  as  the  last  resting-place  of  one  of  the  early 
discoverers,  while  the  bay  itself  derives  its  name  from 
the  Indian  town  of  Mauvila,1  whose  governor,  the  gigantic 
Tascalu<ja,  received  Hernando  de  Soto,  seated,2  while  all 
around  him  stood,  and  his  standard-bearer  unfolded  that 
banner  which  excited  the  astonishment  of  the  Spaniards, 
and  was  so  soon  to  be  waved  defiantly  in  their  midst : 
for  in  Mauvila's  blood-stained  streets  it  was  that,  among 
other  cavaliers  of  note,  De  Soto's  two  nephews  fell.8 

During  the  seventeenth  and  eighteenth  centuries,  Mo- 
bile Bay  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  French  and  Spaniards, 
alternately ;  in  1812,  it  was  taken  possession  of  by  United 
States  troops  and  annexed  to  Mississippi  territory,  and,  in 

7 


8  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

1819,  it  became  included  within  the  limits  of  the  state 
of  Alabama. 

On  the  15th  of  September,  1814,  the  stillness  that 
usually  hangs  over  its  sluggish  waters  was  for  the  first 
time  broken  by  the  roar  of  heavy  artillery,  (for  it  was  on 
that  day  that  the  British  squadron,  under  Percy,  was 
repulsed  in  its  attack  on  the  little  redoubt  called  Fort 
Bowyer,  with  a  loss  of  one  vessel,  the  Hermes,  and  over 
two  hundred  men ;)  and,  on  August  5,  1864,  it  was 
rudely  awakened  from  its  half-century  slumber  by  the 
noise  of  the  great  battle  which  it  has  become  my  province 
to  describe. 

Alabama,  having  thrown  her  sword  into  the  scale  of 
the  Southern  Confederacy  in  January,  1861,  turned  her 
first  thoughts  toward  the  security  of  her  only  seaport, 
Mobile.  To  this  end,  Governor  Moore  seized  upon  the 
United  States  arsenal  in  the  city,  and  garrisoned,  with 
state  troops,  forts  Morgan  and  Gaines.4  As  these  forts, 
being  at  the  entrance  of  Mobile  Bay,  were  the  keys  to 
Mobile  from  the  gulf  side,  a  brief  description  of  their 
condition  and  armament  must  now  be  given.  Fort 
Morgan,  on  the  site  of  old  Fort  Bowyer,  is  a  pentagonal, 
bastioned  work,  built  of  brick,  whose  full  scarp  wall  is 
four  feet,  eight  inches  thick.  It  is  located  on  the  main 
land,  at  the  west  end  of  Mobile  Point,  and  mounted,  at 
the  time  of  the  passage  of  Farragut's  fleet,  eighty-six 
guns  of  various  calibres,  consisting  of  rifled  thirty-twos, 
ten-inch  colmnbiads,  and  two  seven  and  eight-inch 
Brook's  rifles.  In  each  of  its  bastion-flanks  were  two 
smooth-bore  twenty-four  pounders.  Twenty-nine  addi- 
tional guns  were  placed  in  exterior  batteries,  of  which 
the  most  formidable,  "the  water  battery,"  bore  two  rifled 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY.  9 

thirty-twos,  four  ten-inch  columbiacls,  and  one  eight-inch 
Brook's  rifle.  Within  the  fort  was  a  citadel,  containing 
quarters  for  soldiers,  whose  brick  walls,  loop-holed  for 
musketry,  were  four  feet  in  thickness.  The  garrison  of 
the  fort,  including  officers  and  men,  numbered  six  hun- 
dred and  forty. 

Fort  Gaines,  erected  on  the  ruins  of  Fort  Tombigbee, 
stands  at  the  eastern  extremity  of  Dauphine  Island,  three 
nautical  miles  in  a  west-northwest  direction  from  Fort 
Morgan.  It  is  built  of  brick,  in  the  form  of  a  star,  with 
semi-detached  scarp  five  feet  thick,  and  small  works,  in 
angles,  for  flank  defence.  When  invested  by  General 
Granger,  it  had  forty-four  gun-platforms  laid,  but  upon 
only  thirty  of  them  were  guns  mounted,  of  which  three 
were  columbiads,  and  the  rest  thirty-two  and  twenty-four 
pounders.  Its  garrison  consisted  of  forty-six  officers  and 
eight  hundred  and  eighteen  men. 

On  the  flats,  to  the  southward  and  eastward  of  Fort 
Gaines,  innumerable  piles  were  driven,  to  obstruct  the 
passage  of  small  vessels,  and  from  these,  two  lines  of 
torpedoes  extended  toward  Fort  Morgan,  whose  eastern 
limit  was  marked  by  a  large  red  buoy.  The  channel  be- 
tween this  and  the  fort  was  left  open  for  blockade-run- 
ners, and,  being  but  a  few  hundred  yards  wide,  forced 
every  vessel  using  it  to  pass  close  to  the  fort. 

Such  were  the  works,  and  such  the  means  employed  for 
guarding  the  main  ship-channel ;  but,  about  six  nautical 
miles  northwest  of  Fort  Gaines,  there  is  a  narrow  cut  for 
light-draught  vessels,  called  Grant's  Pass,  which  it  was 
also  deemed  necessary  to  prevent  the  blockading  fleet 
from  getting  possession  of.  For  this  purpose,  between 
Cedar  Point  and  Little  Dauphine  Island,  on  an  islet  of 


10  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

mostly  made-land,  covering  au  area  of  about  half  an  acre, 
the  Confederates  had  begun  the  construction  of  a  re- 
doubt, which  they  called  Fort  Powell.  The  front  face  of 
the  work  was  nearly  completed,  and  in  a  defensible  con- 
dition, mounting  one  eight-inch  columbiad,  and  one  six- 
and  four-tenths  and  two  seven-inch  Brook's  rifles.  The 
face  looking  toward  Fort  Gaines  was  about  half  finished, 
its  parapets  being  nearly  complete,  while  its  galleries  and 
traverses  had  only  been  framed.  The  rear  face  was  with- 
out parapets,  and  the  ten-inch  columbiad  and  seven-inch 
Brook's  rifle  mounted  there  were  exposed  from  the  plat- 
form up.  This  part  of  the  fort  was  encumbered  with  a 
large  quantity  of  lumber,  which  was  being  used  in  the 
construction  of  galleries,  magazines,  &c. 

Inside  of  these   defences,  to   the   northward   of,   and 
about  five  hundred  yards  distant  from  Fort  Morgan,  lay 
the  iron-clad  steamer  Tennessee,  two  hundred  and  nine 
feet  in  length,  and  forty-eight  feet  broad,  with  an  iron 
spur  projecting  beyond  her  bow,  at  a  depth  of  two  feet 
below  the  water-line,  which  made  her,  in  public  estima- 
tion,  the   most  formidable   ram   of  her  time;   yet,   not 
trusting  to  ramming  alone  for  victory,  she  carried  in  her 
casemate  —  whose  sloping  sides,  covered  with  armor  va- 
rying in  thickness  from  five  to  six  inches,  were  supposed 
to  be  impenetrable  to  shot  — six  Brook's  rifled  cannon. 
Of  these,  two  were  pivot  and  the  others  broadside  guns, 
the  former  throwing  solid  projectiles  of  one  hundred  and 
ten  pounds  weight;  the  latter,  solid  projectiles  of  ninety- 
five  pounds  weight.     The  ports,  of  which  there  were  ten, 
were  so  arranged  that  the  pivot  guns  could  be  fought  in 
broadside,  sharp  on  the  bow  and  quarter,  and  on  a  direct 
line  with   the  keel.     Her  vital   defect  was   her  steering 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY.  11 

gear,  which  was  badly  arranged  and  much  exposed.  As 
but  little  is  known,  outside  of  the  state  of  Alabama,  of 
the  history  of  this  vessel,  which  bore  the  whole  brunt  of 
the  battle  on  the  Confederate  side,  after  the  Union  fleet 
had  fairly  passed  the  forts,  the  following  resume  of  it 
cannot  fail  to  prove  interesting,  I  am  sure,  to  the  ma- 
jority of  my  hearers  assembled  here  to-night.*  She  was 
built  at  Selma,  on  the  Alabama  River,  in  the  winter  of 
1863-64,  and,  so  soon  as  her  frame  was  put  together,  was 
towed  to  Mobile  to  receive  her  armor  and  armament, 
both  of  which,  it  is  said,  were  made  of  iron  taken  from 
the  ground  early  in  1863,  at  the  very  time  that  the  tim- 
ber was  being  cut  in  the  forests,  which,  after  passing 
through  the  hands  of  the  shipwright,  was  used  in  the 
construction  of  her  hull.  About  four  months  were  con- 
sumed in  putting  on  her  plating,  and  this  made  her  mean 
draught  of  water  a  little  less  than  thirteen  feet. 

On  her  trial  trip,  in  March,  1864,  her  speed  was  set 
down  at  eight  knots;  "but  this  was  afterward  reduced 
to  six,  by  the  increased  draught  caused  by  her  heavy  bat- 
tery and  ammunition,  and  the  supply  of  fuel  required  to 
be  placed  on  board,  after  she  was  taken  down  the  bay." 

And  now,  the  ram  being  ready,  the  great  problem  to 
solve  was,  how  to  get  her  over  Dog  River  Bar,  on  which, 
at  high  tide,  the  depth  of  water  was  but  eight  feet.  To 
effect  this,  long  wooden  tanks,  or  caissons,  called,  in  nau- 
tical language,  camels,  were  prepared,  so  fashioned  as  to 
fit  tightly  to  the  Tennessee's  bottom.  These  were  to  be 
placed  on  either  side  of  the  vessel,  sunk  by  being  filled 
with  water,  and  then  lashed  securely  in  their  places  with 

*  It  must  be  remembered  that  this  paper  was  prepared  at  the  request 
of,  and  read  before  The  Military  Historical  Society  of  Massachusetts,  as 
stated  in  my  preface.  F.  A.  P. 


12  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

heavy  chains,  after  which,  the  water  being  pumped  out, 
they  would  rise  by  their  buoyancy,  and  of  course  lift  the 
ship  with  them,  if  the  lashings  held. 

The  camels  were  just  pronounced  by  their  designer 
ready  for  service,  when  they  were  fired  and  destroyed  ; 
yet,  not  discouraged  thereby,  the  Confederates  set  to 
work  with  a  will  to  fell  trees  for  the  making  of  others, 
which  being  successfully  accomplished,  the  Tennessee,  in 
May,  1864,  was  raised  some  seven  feet  out  of  water,  and 
carried  across  the  bar  into  Mobile  Bay. 

Near  the  Tennessee  were  anchored  three  wooden  gun- 
boats, viz.,  the  Morgan,  the  Gaines,  and  the  Selma.  The 
Morgan  carried  one  sixty-three  hundred  weight  eight-inch 
gun,  and  five  fifty-seven  hundred  weight  thirty-two 
pounders;  the  Gaines,  one  eight-inch  Brook's  rifle,  and 
five  fifty-seven  hundred  weight  thirty-two  pounders  ;  the 
Selma,  three  eight-inch  Paixhans,  and  one  old-fashioned 
heavy  thirty-two  pounder,  converted  to  a  rifle  and  banded 
at  the  breech,  throwing  a  solid  projectile  weighing  about 
sixty  pounds. 

During  the  time  that  the  Alabamians  were  putting 
their  forts  into  the  condition  described  above,  and  assem- 
bling their  vessels,  they  were  almost  unmolested.  A 
small  squadron,  it  is  true,  had  been  dispatched,  early  in 
May,  1861,  to  blockade  Mobile  Bay,5  which  Fort  Morgan 
"  welcomed  by  displaying,  under  the  Confederate  flag,  an 
United  States  ensign  with  its  union  down,"  and,  after  the 
capture  of  New  Orleans,  that  squadron  was  augmented 
until  it  had  reached  the  proportions  of  a  fleet;  but  it  was 
not  until  every  stronghold  on  the  Mississippi  had  fallen 
into  our  hands,  and  the  Confederacy  was  thereby  cut  in 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT.  13 

twain,  that  the  government  seriously  directed  its  atten- 
tion to  the  reduction  of  Mobile. 

Accordingly,  on  January  20,  1864,  we  find  Farragut, 
who  possessed  all  its  confidence,  making  a  reconnoissance 
of  the  defences  of  Mobile  Bay,  and  thus  writing  of  them 
to  the  Navy  Department: 

"I  went  in  over  the  bar  in  the  gunboat  Octorora, 
Lieutenant-Commander  Lowe,  taking  the  Itasca  in  com- 
pany as  a  precaution  against  accident.  We  passed  up  to 
Sand  Island,  and  laid  abreast  of  the  light-house  on  it. 
The  day  was  uncommonly  fine,  and  the  air  very  clear. 
We  were  distant  from  the  forts  three  and  three,  and  a 
half  miles,  and  could  see  everything  distinctly.  I  am 
satisfied  that  if  I  had  one  iron-clad  at  this  time  I  could 
destroy  their  whole  force  in  the  bay,  and  reduce  the  forts 
at  my  leisure,  by  co-operation  with  our  land  forces,  —  say 
five  thousand  men.  We  must  have  about  two  thousand 
five  hundred  men  in  the  rear  of  each  fort,  to  make  regu- 
lar approaches  by  land,  and  to  prevent  the  garrison's 
receiving  supplies  and  reinforcements;  the  fleet  to  run 
the  batteries,  and  fight  the  flotilla  in  the  bay. 

"  But  without  iron-clads,  we  should  not  be  able  to  fight 
the  enemy's  vessels  of  that  class  with  much  prospect  of 
success,  as  the  latter  would  lie  on  the  flats,  where  our 
ships  could  not  go  to  destroy  them.  Wooden  vessels  can 
do  nothing  with  them,  unless  by  getting  within  one  hun- 
dred or  two  hundred  yards,  so  as  to  ram  them  or  pour  in 
a  broadside. 

"  The  iron-clad  Nashville,  I  am  told  by  a  refugee,  will 
not  be  ready  before  March ;  and  he  says  Buchanan  made 
a  speech  to  his  men,  saying  that  as  soon  as  she  is  finished, 
he  will  raise  the  blockade,  &c.  It  is  depressing  to  see 


14  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

how  easily  false  reports  circulate,  and  in  what  a  state  of 
alarm  the  community  is  kept  by  the  most  absurd  rumors.6 
If  the  department  could  get  one  or  two  of  the  iron-clads 
here,  it  would  put  an  end  to  this  state  of  things,  and 
restore  confidence  to  the  people  of  the  ports  now  in  our 
possession. 

"I  feel  no  apprehension  about  Buchanan's  raising  the 
blockade  of  Mobile ;  but  with  such  a  force  as  he  has  in 
the  bay,  it  would  be  unwise  to  take  in  our  wooden 
vessels,  without  the  means  of  fighting  the  enemy  on  an 
equal  footing. 

"  By  reference  to  the  chart,  you  will  see  how  small  a 
space  there  is  for  the  ships  to  manoeuvre." 

Early  in  May,  the  Tennessee,  having  been  floated  upon 
camels,  as  we  have  said,  over  Dog  River  Bar,  steamed 
across  the  bay  in  full  view  of  the  blockading  fleet ;  and 
Farragut  seems  to  have  been  greatly  impressed  with  her 
warlike  appearance.  "  Unless  she  fails  in  some  particu- 
lar," he  reports  to  the  department,  "I  fear  it  will  be 
much  more  difficult  to  take  Mobile  than  it  would  have 
been  one  week  ago." 

Day  by  day  now,  however,  the  rear-admiral's  spirits 
rose,  as  fresh  vessels  reported  to  him,  and  on  the  12th  of 
July  he  issued  general  order  number  ten,  wherein,  after 
prescribing  the  manner  in  which  the  ships  shall  be 
"stript  for  the  conflict,"  he  says: 

"  The  vessels  will  run  past  the  forts  in  couples,  lashed 
side  by  side,  as  hereinafter  designated.  The  flag-ship 
will  lead,  and  steer  from  Sand  Island  north  by  east  by 
compass,  until  abreast  of  Fort  Morgan ;  then  northwest 
half  north  until  past  the  Middle  Ground ;  then  north  by 
west ;  and  the  others,  as  designated  in  the  drawing,  will 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY.  17 

he  (Banks)  would  have  left,  according  to  the  last  returns, 
a  force  of  over  thirty  thousand  effective  men,  with  which 
to  move  against  Mobile  ;  to  which  he  expected  to  add  five 
thousand  men  from  Missouri.  'If,  however,'  he  con- 
tinued, *  you  think  the  force  here  stated  too  small  to  hold 
the  territory  regarded,  as  necessary  to  hold,  I  would  say, 
concentrate  at  least  twenty-five  thousand  men  of  your 
present  command  for  operations  against  Mobile ;  with 
these,  and  such  other  additions  as  I  can  give  you  from 
elsewhere,  lose  no  time  in  making  a  demonstration,  to  be 
followed  by  an  attack.' ' 

The  defeat  of  Banks,  however,  inspirited  the  Confed- 
erates west  of  the  Mississippi  to  such  a  degree,  that  they 
at  once  assumed  the  offensive;  so  that  General  Canby, 
Banks's  successor,  finding  ample  employment  for  all  his 
forces  in  Arkansas  and  Louisiana,  was  unable  to  carry  out 
Grant's  instructions,  especially  as  he  had  been  compelled 
to  send  six  thousand  men  of  his  command  to  Washington, 
then  menaced  by  Early.  Grant  thereupon  postponed  his 
contemplated  movement  upon  Mobile  to  a  more  con- 
venient season,  contenting  himself,  meanwhile,  with  send- 
ing an  order  to  Cauby  to  dispatch  to  Farragut  the  troops 
necessary  to  invest  forts  Gaines  and  Morgan.  Circum- 
stances, however,  making  it  impossible  for  Canby  to  spare 
men  enough  to  invest  both  forts  at  once,  it  was  agreed,  at 
Farragut's  suggestion,  that  Gaines  should  be  first  invested. 

For  this  purpose,  on  the  afternoon  of  August  3d,  fifteen 
hundred  men  were  landed  on  Dauphine  Island  by  the 
boats,  and  under  cover  of  the  guns  of  a  flotilla  com- 
manded by  Lieutenant-Commander  J.  C.  P.  DeKraft. 

The  troops,  which  consisted  of  detachments  from  the 
Seventy-seventh  Illinois,  Thirty-fourth  Iowa,  Ninety-sixth 
2 


18  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

Ohio,  Third  Maryland  Dismounted  Cavalry,  and  Cobb's 
Colored  Regiment  of  Engineers,  under  the  immediate 
orders  of  Brigadier-General  McGinnis,  and  accompanied 
by  General  Gordon  Granger  as  commander-in-chief,  took 
up  their  march,  the  moment  they  reached  the  shore,  for 
Fort  Gaines,  distant  from  them  fifteen  miles.  Their 
progress  through  the  heavy  sand  was  slow  and  laborious, 
and  when  night  shut  in,  with  a  drenching  rain,  so  intense 
was  the  darkness  that  "  three  times  the  skirmish  line  got 
in  rear  of  the  main  column."  They  pushed  forward  with 
spirit,  however,  until  midnight,  and  then,  at  the  word  of 
command,  threw  themselves  down  on  the  wet  ground 
without  a  murmur,  and  slept  the  sweet  sleep  of  the  weary, 
until  awakened  by  the  bugles  of  the  morrow,  when  they 
resumed  their  march,  and,  before  the  day  closed,  were 
intrenched  about  the  fort,  their  skirmish  line  being  less 
than  half  a  mile  from  it. 

At  sunrise,  on  the  5th,  Fort  Gaines  opened  fiercely 
upon  the  besiegers;  but,  an  hour  later,  the  sharp  crack 
of  its  rifles  was  hushed  by  the  loud,  continuous  roar  of 
artillery  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  channel,  where  the 
magnificent  spectacle  presented  itself  of  Farragut's  fleet, 
wreathed  in  smoke,  —  its  leading  vessels  one  sheet  of  fire 
from  their  starboard  batteries,  —  forcing  the  passage  of 
Fort  Morgan. 

From  the  day  general  order  number  ten  was  promul- 
gated, up  to  the  very  moment  of  conflict,  the  greatest 
activity  had  prevailed  in  the  Union  fleet,  all  of  whose 
vessels  had,  in  turn,  visited  Pensacola,  (but  a  few  hours' 
sail  from  Mobile,)  to  get  ready  for  the  fray.  In  the  ships 
carrying  spars,  nothing  above  the  topmasts  was  left  stand- 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY.  19 

ing,  and  the  Richmond  had  wisely  struck  and  landed 
even  her  topmasts  and  topsail  yards.  On  the  outside  of 
each  vessel,  in  the  wake  of  her  engines  and  boilers,  chain 
cables  were  ranged  fore  and  aft,  and,  inside,  sand  bags 
were  placed,  from  stem  to  stern,  and  from  the  berth  to 
the  spar  deck ;  and,  in  short,  every  contrivance  that  Yan- 
kee ingenuity  could  suggest  was  resorted  to  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  vessels  and  their  crews  from  shot  and  shell, 
from  splinters  and  falling  spars. 

Farragut  had  fully  intended  to  run  into  the  bay  on  the 
day  the  troops  were  landed  on  Dauphine  Island,  but  his 
design  was  frustrated  by  the  non-arrival  of  the  monitor 
Tecumseh,  until  the  evening  of  August  4th,  when  she 
steamed  in  and  took  up  her  anchorage  in  the  Sand  Island 
channel,  with  her  consorts,  the  Winnebago,  Manhattan, 
and  Chickasaw. 

On  the  following  morning,  at  four  o'clock,  the  wooden 
vessels,  which  were  anchored  three  miles  and  a  half  south- 
southeast  of  the  iron-clads,  commenced  getting  under 
wajr,  and  forming  double  column,  or  column  of  twos 
lashed  together,  the  starboard  vessels  of  which  were  the 
Brooklyn.  Hartford,  Richmond,  Lackawanna,  Mononga- 
hela,  Ossipee,  and  Oneida ;  the  port  ones,  the  Octorora, 
Metacomet,  Port  Royal,  Seminole,  Kennebec,  Itasca,  and 
Galena. 

The  inboard  and  starboard  waist  and  quarter  boats  of 
many  of  the  vessels  of  the  fleet  had  been  left  at  Pensa- 
cola ;  the  others  were  being  carried  (lowered  to  the 
water's  edge),  or  towed,  out  of  harm's  way,  on  the  port 
side  of  the  column,  with  the  exception  of  the  little  Loyal, 
the  admiral's  steam  barge,  which,  with  its  saucy  howitzer 
in  the  bows,  was  making  its  way  into  rebeldom  unaided. 


20  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

As  the  Brooklyn  had  four  chase-guns,  and  was  provided 
with  a  torpedo-catcher,  Farragut,  at  the  instance  of  his 
captains,  had  given  her  the  lead.  "They  urged  it  upon 
me,"  he  says  in  his  report  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
"because,  in  their  judgment,  the  flag-ship  ought  not  to  be 
too  much  exposed.  This  I  believe  to  be  an  error ;  for, 
apart  from  the  fact  that  exposure  is  one  of  the  penalties 
of  rank  in  the  navy,  it  will  always  be  the  aim  of  the 
enemy  to  destroy  the  flag-ship,  and  such  attempt  was  very 
persistently  made,  but  Providence  did  not  permit  it  to  be 
successful." 

The  Hartford,  a  vessel  already  of  historic  fame  from 
her  having  borne  the  flag  of  Farragut  at  New  Orleans, 
was  destined  to  bear  it  again  in  triumph  on  this  memorable 
occasion.  She  was  a  screw-ship  of  the  second  class,  with 
full  sail-power,  and  of  nineteen  hundred  tons  burden  ; 
her  extreme  length  being  two  hundred  and  twenty-five 
feet,  her  greatest  breadth  of  beam  forty-four,  and  her 
mean  draught  of  water,  with  everything  in,  sixteen  feet 
three  inches.  Her  engines  were  direct-acting,  developing 
a  speed  of  eight  knots,  and  her  greatest  speed,  under  sail 
and  steam  combined,  was  eleven  knots.  Her  armament 
consisted  of  eighteen  nine-inch  Dahlgrens,  two  one  hun- 
dred-pounder Parrotts,  and  one  thirty-pounder  Parrott; 
and  the  whole  weight  of  solid  projectiles  thrown  by  her 
at  a  broadside  was  nine  hundred  and  eighty  pounds. 

The  Brooklyn  and  the  Richmond  were  sister  ships  to 
the  Hartford;  the  Lacka wanna  and  Monongahela  about 
five  hundred  tons  smaller;  and,  from  the  Monongahela, 
the  vessels  of  the  fleet  gradually  decreased  in  size  and 
armament,  until  we  reach  the  little  Itasca,7  of  five  hun- 
dred tons,  with  a  battery  of  one  eleven-inch  gun,  two 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT.  21 

thirty-two  pounders,  of  fifty-seven  hundred  weight,  two 
twenty-pounder  Parrotts,  and  one  twelve-pounder  Dahl- 
gren. 

The  Tecumseh  and  the  Manhattan  were  single-turreted 
monitors  of  the  burden  of  five  hundred  and  fifty  tons, 
whose  extreme  length  was  two  hundred  and  twenty-five 
feet,  and  extreme  beam  forty-three  feet.  The  diameter 
of  their  ten-inch  turrets,  in  the  clear,  was  twenty-one  feet, 
and  each  turret  carried  two  fifteen-inch  guns.  Their 
side-armor  was  five,  their  deck-armor  two  inches  thick, 
and  the  height  of  their  decks  above  water  eighteen  inches. 

The  Chickasaw  and  the  Winnebago  were  not  so  heavily 
armored  as  their  consorts,  and  differed  from  them  in  hav- 
ing two  turrets  each,  and  in  their  light  draught  of  water, 
which  was  but  six  feet.  In  each  of  their  turrets  were 
mounted  two  eleven-inch  guns. 

The  total  weight  of  metal  of  the  advancing  fleet  was 
fourteen  thousand  two  hundred  and  forty-six  pounds ; 
that  thrown  by  it  at  a  broadside,  nine  thousand  two  hun- 
dred and  eighty-eight  pounds. 

So  soon  as  the  vessels  were  in  position,  they  hoisted  an 
ensign  at  each  mast-head,  and  steered  for  the  Sand  Island 
channel,  the  monitors  joining  them,  as  they  crossed  kt  the 
outer  bar,"  and  forming,  in  column  of  vessels,  on  their 
starboard  side,  abreast  of  the  Brooklyn,  Hartford,  and 
Richmond. 

The  morning  was  a  beautiful  one,  the  sea  smooth,  and 
the  sky  unclouded;  and,  as  the  fleet  steamed  steadily  up 
the  main  ship-channel,  —  drum  answering  drum  from  van 
to  rear,  in  hoarse  summons  to  the  officers  and  men  of 
each  ship  to  assemble  at  their  quarters,  —  De  Kraft,  who 
was  watching  it  from  the  mast-head  of  the  Conemaugh, 


22  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

was  struck  with  its'  "stately  appearance  and  compact 
order."  "  I  noticed  also,  with  great  satisfaction,"  he  re- 
marks, "  that  a  light  breeze  was  springing  up  from  the 
westward,  which  must  certainly  blow  the  smoke  from  our 
guns,  as  soon  as  they  opened,  full  upon  the  fort  and  bat- 
teries." 

At  six  o'clock,  the  Confederate  vessels,  upon  signal 
from  their  admiral,  emerged  from  behind  the  fort,  and 
took  position,  in  single  echelon,  across  the  channel,  with 
their  port  batteries  bearing  upon  our  fleet.  The  Selma, 
on  the  right,  was  in  advance,  and  farthest  to  the  north- 
ward ;  while  the  ram  Tennessee,  on  the  left,  rested  a  little 
to  the  westward  of  the  red  buoy,  and  close  to  the  inner 
line  of  torpedoes,  upon  which,  as  the  tide  was  flood,  there 
was  no  danger  of  her  drifting. 

About  this  time,  too,  the  steamers  Gennessee,  Pinola, 
Pembina,  Sebago,  Tennessee,  and  Bienville  came  to  an- 
chor to  the  southward  and  eastward  of  Fort  Morgan,  and 
opened  fire  upon  it.  The  station  assigned  to  them  was  to 
the  northward  of  the  Southeast  Shoal,  as  close  to  Mobile 
Point  as  they  could  get,  so  that  they  might,  in  a  measure, 
keep  down  the  fire  of  the  fort,  while  the  fleet  was  passing 
it;  but  through  some  misunderstanding,  perhaps,  on  the 
part  of  their  senior  officer,  Lieutenant-Commander  Graf- 
ton,  they  were  anchored  at  such  a  respectful  distance  from 
the  shore  as  to  render  their  fire  useless. 

At  forty-seven  minutes  past  six,  the  Tecumseh,  which 
was  then  in  the  lead,  about  three  hundred  yards  from  the 
Brooklyn  and  sharp  on  her  starboard  bow,  fired  her  guns, 
merely  for  the  purpose  of  scaling  them,  and  then  loaded 
each  with  sixty  pounds  of  powder  and  a  steel  shot,  in 
readiness  to  engage  the  ram. 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY.  23 

At  six  minutes  past  seven,  the  fort  opened,  and  was 
replied  to  by  the  Brooklyn,  and,  in  a  few  minutes  there- 
after, the  action  became  general  on  both  sides. 

The  scene  from  the  Conemaugh  was  now  grand  beyond 
all  description  :  the  forts,  batteries,  and  monitors  envel- 
oped in  smoke,  made  luminous  by  the  flashes  of  their 
guns;  the  wooden  vessels  in  plain  view,  vomiting  fire 
from  stem  to  stern  ;  and  the  grand  old  admiral  in  the  port 
main  rigging  of  the  Hartford,  just  below  the  futtock  staff, 
reclining,  as  it  were,  in  a  sort  of  bridle  or  swing  passed 
around  his  back  and  under  his  arms,  whose  ends  were 
fastened  to  the  futtock  shrouds,  —  one  hand  grasped  the 
rigging,  and  in  the  other  he  held  a  marine  glass;  and 
thus,  without  danger  of  losing  his  hold  or  footing,  he 
could  turn  easily  in  every  direction,  and  see  all  that  was 
passing  below  him,  on  the  water  and  on  the  land. 

Beneath  him,  on  the  poop,  was  his  fleet-captain,  Per- 
cival  Dray  ton,  an  officer  noted  for  his  professional  ability 
and  zeal  for  the  service  ;  and,  in  the  top  above  his  head, 
leaning  against  the  rail,  stood  his  trusty  pilot,  Martin 
Freeman,  whose  services  should  ever  be  remembered  with 
gratitude  by  the  republic.  Communicating,  through  a 
speaking-tube,  with  the  deck  of  the  Hartford,  and  sig- 
nalling with  his  hands  to  the  commanding  officer  of  her 
consort,  Lieutenant-Commander  Jouett,  who  stood  on  the 
starboard  wheel-house  of  his  vessel,  he  piloted  the  flag- 
ship, amid  all  the  vicissitudes  of  battle,  with  a  calmness 
and  intrepidity  truly  heroic. 

And  indeed,  throughout  the  whole  fleet,  a  spirit  of  de- 
votion to  duty  was  manifested  worthy  of  the  descendants 
of  the  men  who  had  blown  up  the  Philadelphia  in  the 
harbor  of  Tripoli,  followed  Perry  and  McDonough  on 


24  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

lakes  Erie  and  Champlain,  and  burned  a  Mexican  schooner 
moored  to  the  castle  of  San  Juan  D'Ulloa. 

The  signal  quartermaster,  with  his  flags  at  hand,  kept 
his  glass  steadily  fixed  upon  the  flag-ship.  What  cared 
he  for  shot  or  shell,  if  the  signals  of  the  admiral  were  but 
truly  transmitted  or  replied  to? 

The  helmsman,  with  his  hands  grasping  the  spokes  of 
the  wheel,  had  ears  alone  for  his  captain  and  the  pilot. 
"Starboard  a  little!*'  "Fort  a  little!"  he  cried  from  time 
to  time,  echoing  the  orders  of  his  superiors. 

The  leadsmen  in  the  chains  gave  out  their  soundings  as 
coolly  and  deliberately  as  if  they  were  entering  a  friendly 
harbor,  and,  mingling  with  the  cries  of  the  helmsman,  as 
the  water  shoaled,  came  their  warning  words,  "By  the 
mark,  three!"  or,  "J.  quarter  less  four!"  in  the  musical 
tones  so  dear  to  seamen. 

The  bronzed  veteran  and  the  old  salt  who  had  seen 
service  in  Mexico  and  China  stood  side  by  side,  at  the 
guns,  with  the  young  marine  officer  and  the  boy-graduate 
of  the  academy,  and  each  had  equal  faith  in  the  other ; 
for  all  knew  that  to  die  for  one's  country,  when  need  be, 
is  not  only  4i  sweet  and  decorous,"  but  strictly  according 
to  navy  teaching,  and  "  the  usage  of  the  sea-service." 

And  in  this  faith  all  went  to  their  posts,  prepared  to 
obey  the  regulations  and  "  fight  courageously  ; "  for,  in  a 
fleet  where  a  single  shell,  exploding  in  the  boiler  of  a 
vessel,  might  subject  the  engineers  and  firemen  to  the  fate 
of  Marsyas,  or  a  torpedo  or  infernal,  exploding  under  her 
bottom,  send  all  hands  journeying  ad  aatra,  no  one  could 
properly  be  considered  a  non-combatant. 

The  morale  of  the  Union  fleet,  then,  was  what  the 
French  would  call  superb;  all,  from  the  highest  to  the 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY.  25 

lowest,  placing  implicit  faith  in  Farragut,  and  all  pre- 
pared to  take  any  risks  when  led  by  him.  Thus,  while 
the  captain  of  the  Winnebago  was  coolly  walking  back 
and  forth  on  the  bridge  of  his  vessel,  giving  orders,  first 
to  the  gunners  of  one  turret,  then  to  those  of  the  other, 
how  to  direct  their  fire,  a  negro  seaman,  probably  sta- 
tioned at  the  life  buoy,  was  as  coolly  promenading  the 
poop-deck  of  the  Galena.  Seemingly  unconscious  of  all 
that  was  passing  around  him,  this  man,  with  his  hands 
uplifted  to  heaven,  was  loudly  singing  a  negro  hymn. 
God  knows  what  thoughts  were  passing  through  his  mind 
on  this  his  day  of  jubilee ! 

At  a  quarter  past  seven,  the  flag-ship  signalled  to  the 
wooden  vessels,  closer  order,  when  the  column  was  closed 
as  compactly  as  possible,  the  bows  of  each  pair  of  vessels 
being  within  a  few  yards  of  the  vessels  next  ahead,  arid  a 
little  on  their  starboard  quarter. 

The  fleet  was  now  heading  a  point  to  the  left  of  Fort 
Morgan,  its  rear  being  past  Sand  Island,  and  the  van 
within  half  a  mile  of  the  water  battery,  whose  galling 
fire,  as  well  as  that  of  the  Confederate  squadron,  could 
only  be  replied  to  by  the  bow-chasers  of  its  leading 
vessels. 

By  half  past  seven,  the  Tecumseh,  which  still  main- 
tained her  position  ahead  of  the  Brooklyn,  was  well  up 
with  the  fort,  and  drawing  slowly  by  the  Tennessee, 
leaving  her  on  the  port  beam. 

At  this  moment,  when  the  eyes  of  all  were  riveted 
upon  the  iron-clads,  expecting  to  see  them  hotly  engaged 
so  soon  as  the  Tecumseh  should  have  passed  the  lines  of 
torpedoes  intervening  between  them,  the  Brooklyn  and 
the  Hartford  poured  a  broadside  into  Fort  Morgan,  driv- 


26  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

ing  the  enemy,  helter-skelter,  from  their  barbette  and 
water  batteries. 

The  sight  was  an  inspiriting  one,  and,  in  the  enthusiasm 
of  the  moment,  the  gallant  Craven,  who  thirsted  for  the 
honor  of  engaging  the  ram  singly,  gave  the  fatal  order, 
Hard  a-starboard !  and  dashed  straight  at  her,  his  course 
taking  him  to  the  westward  of  the  large  red  luoy. 

The  bow  gun  of  the  Tennessee,  loaded  with  a  steel  bolt 
weighing  one  hundred  and  forty  pounds,  was  kept  steadily 
trained  upon  the  monitor  as  she  advanced.  "  Do  not  fire, 
Mr.  Wharton,"  cried  Captain  Johnston,  of  the  Tennessee, 
to  the  lieutenant  in  charge  of  her  first  division,  "until 
the  vessels  are  in  actual  contact."  "  Aye,  aye,  sir,"  was 
the  cool  response  of  Wharton,  as  he  stepped  to  the  breech 
of  the  bow  gun,  "in  expectation  of  a  deadly  fight  at  close 
quarters."  Scarce  were  the  words  uttered,  when  the 
Tecumseh,  reeling  to  port  as  from  an  earthquake  shock, 
foundered,  head  foremost,  with  almost  every  soul  on 
board,  destroyed  by  a  torpedo.8  A  few  of  her  crew  were 
observed  to  leap  wildly  from  her  turret;  for  an  instant 
her  screw  was  seen  revolving  in  air  —  and  then  there  was 
nothing  left  to  show  that  the  Tecumseh  had  ever  formed 
one  of  that  proud  Union  fleet  but  a  small  boat  washed 
from  her  deck,  and  a  number  of  half-drowned  men  strug- 
gling fiercely  for  life  in  the  seething  waters  which  had 
closed  over  their  vessel  forever. 

Such  was  the  fate  of  the  Tecumseh  ! 

Short  shrift  had  they  who  went  down  with  her  !  Yet, 
short  as  the  time  of  her  foundering  was,  it  has  furnished 
us  with  one  of  those  magnificent  episodes  of  war  which 
make  famous  the  annals  of  nations. 

Craven  and   Mr.  John  Collins,  the  pilot  of  the  Te- 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT.  27 

cumseh,  met,  as  their  vessel  was  sinking  beneath  them,  at 
the  foot  of  the  ladder  leading  to  the  top  of  the  turret. 

Great  and  good  men  often  err;  but  they  differ  from 
ordinary  mortals  in  this,  that  they  are  willing  to  atone  for 
their  errors,  even  with  their  lives,  if  necessary.  It  may 
be,  then,  that  Craven,  in  the  nobility  of  his  soul,  —  for  all 
know  he  was  one  of  nature's  noblemen,  —  it  may  be,  I 
say,  thai:  in  the  nobility  of  his  soul,  the  thought  flashed 
across  him  that  it  was  through  no  fault  of  his  pilot  that 
the  Tecnmseh  was  in  this  peril :  he  drew  back.  "  After 
you,  pilot,"  said  he,  grandly. 

"  There  was  nothing  after  me,"  relates  Mr.  Collins, 
who  fortunately  lived  to  tell  this  tale  of  heroism  ;  "  when 
I  reached  the  upmost  round  of  the  ladder,  the  vessel 
seemed  to  drop  from  under  me." 

Yet  Craven's  words,  carried  to  Heaven  by  approving 
angels  as  evidence  of  man's  humanity  to  man,  will  live 
forever  in  the  book  of  life,  with  no  tear  on  the  page  to 
efface  the  record. 

Therefore  the  navy  points  with  exultation  —  not  regret 
—  to  the  buoy  off  Fort  Morgan,  which  watches  over  his 
iron  tomb. 

"His  sword  is  rust, 
His  body  dust, 
His  soul  is  with  the  saints,  we  trust." 


Beholding  the  disaster  to  the  Tecumseh,  the  Brooklyn 
stopped.  "What  is  the  matter  with  the  Brooklyn?" 
asked  the  admiral,  anxiously  ;  "  Freeman,  she  must  have 
plenty  of  water  there."  4 

"  Plenty  of  water,  and  to  spare,  admiral,"  replied  the 


28  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

sturdy  pilot ;  "  but  her  screw  is  moving :  I  think  she  is 
going  ahead  again,  sir." 

Ahead  again!  If  that  were  true,  it  were  glorious 
news  indeed !  But  no  I  By  heaven,  she  backs !  backs 
full  upon  the  flag-ship ;  thus  arresting  the  advance  of  the 
whole  fleet ;  so  that  the  rear  presses  upon  the  van,  the 
van  upon  the  rear,  and  all  is  disorder  and  confusion. 

The  enemy,  not  slow  to  comprehend  this  condition  of 
affairs,  take  advantage  of  their  opportunity,  and,  manning 
all  the  guns  from  which  they  have  so  recently  been  driven, 
pour  in  a  murderous  fire  upon  our  fleet,  which  meets  with 
but  a  feeble  fire  in  return. 

"  At  this  critical  moment,"  writes  an  eye-witness,  "  the 
batteries  of  our  ships  were  almost  silent,  while  the  whole 
of  Mobile  Point  was  a  living  line  of  flame."  The  slight- 
est vacillation  then  on  the  part  of  the  admiral,  and  the 
battle  would  have  been  lost,  and  the  greater  part  of  the 
fleet  destroyed. 

But  Farragut  was  equal  to  the  emergency.  His  great 
qualities  as  a  commander,  which  were  apparent  to  all  who 
were  near  him  in  times  of  extreme  peril,  were  never  more 
conspicuous  than  on  this  trying  occasion.  Danger  there 
was,  and  disaster  there  might  be  ahead,  he  knew;  but 
astern  were  sure  defeat  and  dishonor ;  and  for  America's 
great  admiral  —  the  man  who  was  born  to  be  a  hero  — 
there  could  be  but  one  course  to  steer,  that  leading 
straight  into  Mobile  Bay,  where  the  Confederate  vessels 
were  awaiting  him. 

But  between  him  and  the  Confederates  interposed  the 
Brooklyn,  and  how  to  get  by  her  was  the  question ;  for 
she  lay  right  athwart  the  Hartford's  hawse,  bows  on  to 
Fort  Morgan. 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY.  29 

Then  was  made  manifest  the  soundness  of  the  admiral's 
judgment  in  lashing  his  vessels  together  by  pairs ;  for  the 
Hartford  going  ahead,  while  the  Metacomet  backed,  the 
bows  of  the  former  were  swung  to  the  westward,  until 
clear  of  the  Brooklyn's  stern,  when  both  vessels  gathered 
headway.  As  they  were  slowly  passing  the  Brooklyn, 
her  captain  reported  "a  heavy  line  of  torpedoes  across 
the  channel." 

"  Damn  the  torpedoes  ! "  was  the  emphatic  reply  of 
Farragut.  "Jouett,  full  speed!  Four  bells,  Captain 
Drayton."  And  the  Hartford,  as  if  eager  to  bear  the 
admiral's  flag  to  the  front,  bounded  forward  "  like  a  thing 
of  life,"  and,  increasing  her  speed  at  each  instant,  crossed 
both  lines  of  torpedoes,  going  over  the  ground  at  the  rate 
of  nine  miles  an  hour;  for  so  far  had  she  drifted  to  the 
northward  and  westward  while  her  engines  were  stopped, 
as  to  make  it  impossible  for  the  admiral,  without  heading 
directly  on  to  Fort  Morgan,  to  obey  his  own  instructions 
to  "pass  eastward  of  the  easternmost  buoy." 

As  soon  as  he  could  get  his  vessel's  head  to  the  north- 
ward, Alden,  the  captain  of  the  Brooklyn,  "pushed  up 
the  channel  at  full  speed,  in  the  Hartford's  wake,"  and, 
during  the  fight  which  ensued  with  the  Confederate  ram, 
displayed  his  usual  gallantry.  A  good  seaman,  a  skilful 
officer,  whose  battle-record  attests  his  bravery,  his  hesi- 
tancy at  "  Mobile's  Gate  "  must  needs  be  ascribed  to  an 
error  of  judgment,  since  all  will  admit  that  in  many  a 
stubborn  fight  elsewhere  he  served  the  Republic  well. 

While  "  the  guardian  of  the  fleet,"  as  one  of  the  offi- 
cers who  served  under  him  appropriately  styles  Farragut, 
was  engaged  in  extricating  it  from  its  perilous  position, 


30  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

he  was  not  unmindful  of  the  survivors  of  the  Tecumseh, 
whom  he  beheld  in  the  water  near  by.  "Send  a  boat, 
Jouett,"  said  he.  "  and  pick  up  the  poor  fellows."  Jouett, 
in  expectation  of  the  order,  had  already  dispatched  a  boat 
on  this  humane  mission,  in  charge  of  Acting  Ensign  (now 
Lieutenant-Commander)  Henry  C.  Nields.  Starting  from 
the  port  quarter  of  the  Metacomet,  and  steering  the  boat 
himself,  this  mere  boy  pulled  directly  under  the  battery 
of  the  Hartford,  and  around  the  Brooklyn,  to  within  a 
few  hundred  yards  of  the  fort,  exposed  to  the  fire  of  both 
friends  and  foes. 

After  he  had  gone  a  little  distance  from  his  vessel,  he 
seemed  suddenly  to  reflect  that  he  had  no  flag  flying, 
when  he  dropped  the  yoke-ropes,  picked  up  a  small  ensign 
from  the  bottom  of  the  boat,  and,  unfurling  it  from  its 
staff,  which  he  shipped  in  a  socket  made  for  it  in  the 
stern-sheets,  he  threw  it  full  to  the  breeze,  amid  the  loud 
cheers  of  his  men.  "I  can  scarcely  describe,"  says  an 
officer  of  the  Tennessee,  "how  I  felt  at  witnessing  this 
most  gallant  act.  The  muzzle  of  our  gun  was  slowly 
raised,  and  the  bolt  intended  for  the  Tecumseh  flew  harm- 
lessly over  the  heads  of  that  glorious  boat's  crew,  far 
down  in  the  line  of  our  foes." 

After  saving  Ensign  Zetlich,  eight  men,  and  the  pilot, 
Nields  turned,  and  pulling  for  the  fleet,  succeeded  in 
reaching  the  Oneida,  where  he  remained  until  the  close 
of  the  action.. 

The  order  of  battle  being  restored,  through  Farragut's 
indomitable  pluck  and  decision  of  character,  the  Union 
fleet  sped  swiftly  by  Fort  Morgan,  each  vessel,  as  she  got 
fairly  abreast  of  the  fort,  pouring  into  it  such  a  shower 


TEE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT.  31 

of  shell,  shrapnel,  grape,  and  canister  as,  for  the  time, 
completely  silenced  its  batteries ;  and  although  many  of 
the  vessels  were  repeatedly  hulled  by  the  enemy's  mis- 
siles, as  they  drew  near  to  or  receded  from  the  fort,  yet 
all  escaped  serious  damage,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Oneida,  which,  being  the  starboard  rear  vessel  of  the 
column,  was  exposed  to  the  concentrated  fire  of  every 
gim  on  Mobile  Point  not  previously  dismounted  or  dis- 
abled.9 

She  was  almost  by  the  fort,  however,  when  a  rifled  shell 
passed  through  her  chain  armor,  and  entering  the  star- 
board boiler  exploded  in  it,  causing  sad  havoc  among  the 
firemen  and  coal-heavers  of  the  watch  below,  all  of  whom 
were  either  killed  outright  or  fearfully  scalded  by  the 
escaping  steam.  Another  shell,  exploding  in  the  cabin, 
cut  both  wheel-ropes,  while  a  third  set  fire  to  the  deck 
above  the  forward  magazine ;  yet,  encouraged  by  the 
chivalric  bearing  of  their  commander,  and  the  fine  ex- 
ample set  them  by  the  executive  officer  and  the  chief 
engineer  of  the  ship,  the  crew  of  the  Oneida  behaved 
splendidly.  The  relieving  tackles  were  instantly  manned, 
the  fire  put  out,  and  connection  between  the  starboard 
and  port  boiler  cut  off;  and  the  Oneida,  assisted  by  the 
Galena,  went  on  as  if  nothing  unusual  had  happened  on 
board  of  her,  her  guns  never  for  a  moment  ceasing  to 
respond  to  the  really  terrific  fire  of  the  enemy. 

When  she  got  beyond  the  range  of  the  fort,  De  Kraft 
signalled  to  his  flotilla  to  get  under  way,  and  approaching 
Port  Powell  as  near  as  the  depth  of  water  would  permit, 
anchored  his  vessels  in  the  form  of  a  crescent,  and  com- 
menced a  vigorous  bombardment  of  the  fort,  which  the 
Confederates  spiritedly  replied  to. 


32  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

As  the  Hartford  entered  Mobile  Bay,  the  ram  "  dashed 
out"  at  her,  and  failing  to  overtake  her,  turned  and  made 
for  the  Brooklyn,  Richmond,  and  Lackawanna  in  succes- 
sion, but  missed  them  all,  saluting  each,  however,  as  she 
went  by,  with  a  broadside,  which  did  great  injury  to  the 
vessel,  and  laid  many  a  brave  fellow  low,  while  their  fire, 
in  reply,  made  not  the  slightest  impression  on  her  iron 
shield. 

Then  Strong,  in  the  Monongahela,  determined  to  resort 
to  ramming,  and,  getting  a  good  position  on  the  Tennes- 
see's beam,  he  attempted,  at  full  speed,  to  run  her  down. 

The  Tennessee,  to  avoid  being  struck  amidships,  put 
her  helm  a-starboard,  and  the  two  vessels  collided  at  an 
acute  angle,  the  ram  swinging  alongside  of  the  Mononga- 
hela's  consort,  the  Kennebec,  whose  sharp  cutwater  cut 
her  barge  in  two. 

As  she  lay  close  aboard  of  the  Keunebec,  she  succeeded 
in  exploding  a  shell  on  that  vessel's  berth-deck,  which 
killed  and  wounded  several  of  her  officers  and  men,  car- 
ried away  all  her  ladders,  and  so  filled  the  ship  with 
smoke  that  she  was  supposed  to  be  on  fire,  and  the  alarm 
sounded.  This  created  some  excitement  among  the  crew ; 
which  was  quickly  allayed,  however,  by  the  calm,  cool 
conduct  of  her  commanding  and  other  officers. 

Passing  the  Ossipee  without  firing  a  gun  at  her,  the 
ram  next  steered  for  the  crippled  Oneida,  and  shooting 
under  her  stern,  fired  two  broadsides  at  her  in  rapid  suc- 
cession, which  destroyed  her  boats  and  cabin  furniture, 
cut  away  the  greater  part  of  her  lower  rigging,  damaged 
her  mainmast  and  one  of  the  heavy  gun-carriages,  and 
dismounted  the  twelve-pound  howitzer  on  the  poop. 

Fortunately  the  enemy  fired  high,  or  there  would  have 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY.  33 

been  few  left  on  board  the  Oneida  to  tell  the  story  of 
her  engagement  with  the  dreaded  ram.  Among  the 
wounded  was  the  gallant  Mullany,  who  had  volunteered 
for  the  fight,  and  throughout  the  whole  of  it  given  to  his 
officers  and  crew  "  a  noble  example  of  unflinching  courage 
and  heroism." 

It  was  now  at  an  end,  so  fay-  as  the  Oneida  was  con- 
cerned, which  shortly  afterward  came  to  anchor  well  up 
the  bay,  while  the  Tennessee  sought  the  shelter  of  Fort 
Morgan.10 

During  the  time  that  their  flag-ship  was  engaged  in  her 
work  of  destruction,  the  Confederate  gunboats  were  far 
from  idle.  From  their  position  ahead  of  the  Hartford 
they  had  been  enabled  to  keep  up  a  most  destructive  fire 
upon  her,  "  a  single  shot  from  the  Selma  killing  ten  and 
wounding  five  men  at  numbers  one  and  two  guns."  At 
a  little  past  eight,  however,  the  admiral,  observing  that 
all  his  vessels  were  clear  of  the  fort,  made  signal,  — 
Grunboats  chase  enemy's  gunboats.  The  signal  was  hardly 
above  the  Hartford's  deck,  when  Jouett,  cutting  the  fasts 
which  bound  him  to  that  vessel,  started  in  obedience  to 
it,  followed,  at  some  distance,  by  the  Itasca,  Kennebec, 
and  Port  Royal. 

The  Confederates  had  no  course  open  to  them  but 
retreat,  keeping  up  a  heavy  fire  from  their  stern  guns  as 
they  fled.  A  violent  rain  squall  coming  on  just  then,  the 
Gaines  was  enabled  to  seek  the  cover  of  the  fort,  which 
she  reached  in  a  sinking  condition,  her  commanding 
officer  running  her  on  shore,  and  setting  fire  to  her,  to 
prevent  her  falling  into  Union  hands. 

At  nine  o'clock,  "  the  Morgan  hauled  off  to  starboard," 
and,  at  ten  minutes  past  nine,  the  Selma  struck  her  flag 
3 


34  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

to  the  Metacomet.11  She  had  been  well  defended.  Two 
of  her  officers  and  six  of  her  men  were  killed,  and  the 
number  of  her  wounded  amounted  to  ten,  among  whom 
was  her  captain,  Lieutenant-Commander  Murphy. 

And  now,  having  witnessed  with  admiration  and  pride 
the  heroism  of  the  Union  fleet  in  entering  Mobile  Bay, 
despite  Fort  Morgan,  the  Confederate  squadron,  and  the 
torpedoes  so  thickly  strewed  iu  its  way,  we  shall  con- 
template with  hardly  less  pride,  and  with  similar  admira- 
tion, I  am  sure,  the  heroic  daring  of  our  brothers  in  arms 
on  board  the  Tennessee,  who,  when  the  forts  were  passed, 
and  the  Confederate  gunboats  dispersed,  resolved  unaided 
to  attempt  the  forlorn  hope  of  wresting  victory  from  three 
iron-clads  and  fourteen  wooden  vessels. r2 

So  soon  as  the  Tennessee  reached  Fort  Morgan,  her 
armor  was  carefully  examined  and  found  intact,  while  not 
an  officer  or  man  on  board  of  her  was  injured  in  the 
slightest  degree,  a  few  shot-holes  in  her  smoke-stack  alone 
telling  of  her  conflict  with  the  Union  fleet:  these  were 
soon  patched,  and  she  steered  once  more  for  the  Hartford, 
now  lying  quietly  at  anchor  about  three  miles  away. 

The  moment  Farragut  saw  her  coming,  he  signalled  to 
his  monitors  and  largest  wooden  vessels  "  to  attack  the 
ram,  not  only  with  their  guns,  but  bows  on  at  full  speed ; 
and  then  began  one  of  the  fiercest  naval  combats  on 
record." 

The  Monongahela,  not  having  anchored,  was  the  first 
to  make  a  rush  at  her,  going  through  the  water  at  full  ten 
miles  an  hour;  yet  so  bent  was  Admiral  Buchanan  on  the 
Hartford's  destruction,  that  he  entirely  ignored  everv 
other  vessel,  not  djeigning  to  take  the  slightest  notice  of 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY.  35 

the  Monongahela's  approach  until  she  was  close  aboard 
of  him,  on  his  port  beam.  Then  he  ordered  the  Ten- 
nessee's helm  a-port,  which  caused  the  Monongahela  to 
strike  her  at  a  slightly  oblique  angle ;  nevertheless  the 
shock  of  the  collision  was  such  that  many  of  the  crews 
of  both  vessels  measured  their  lengths  on  their  respective 
decks.  "The  Tennessee,"  writes  Lieutenant  Wharton, 
"  yielded  to  the  impact,  and  spun  swiftly  round,  as  upon 
a  pivot.  I  felt  as  if  I  were  going  through  the  air.  '  What 
is  the  matter,  Captain  Johnston?'  I  asked.  'We've  been 
rammed,  sir,'  was  the  response  from  the  pilot-house, 
where  he  stood." 

During  the  instant  of  actual  contact,  the  ram  fired  two 
shots  at  her  antagonist,  piercing  her  through  and  through, 
while  the  Monongahela's  whole  broadside,  discharged  at 
the  casemate  of  the  ram,  rolled  harmlessly  down  its 
sloping  sides. 

"  The  Monongahela  was  hardly  clear  of  us,"  says  Whar- 
toii  again,  "  when  a  hideous-looking  monster  came  creep- 
ing up  on  our  port  side,  whose  slowly  revolving  turret 
revealed  the  cavernous  depths  of  a  mammoth  gun.  Stand 
clear  of  the  port  side !  I  shouted.  A  moment  after,  a 
thundering  report  shook  us  all,  while  a  blast  of  dense, 
sulphurous  smoke  covered  our  port-holes,  and  four  hun- 
dred and  forty  pounds  of  iron,  impelled  by  sixty  pounds 
of  powder,  admitted  daylight  through  our  side,  where, 
before  it  struck  us,  there  had  been  over  two  feet  of  solid 
wood,  covered  with  five  inches  of  solid  iron.  This  was 
the  only  fifteen-inch  shot  that  hit  us  fair.  It  did  not 
come  through ;  the  inside  netting  caught  the  splinters, 
and  there  were  no  casualties  from  it.  I  was  glad  to  find 
myself  alive  after  that  shot." 


36  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

The  Lackawanna  next  bore  down  upon  the  Tennessee, 
and  although  her  stern  was  stove  in  to  the  plank  ends, 
"for  the  distance  of  three  feet  above  the  water  line  to 
five  feet  below  it,"  no  perceptible  effect  was  produced  on 
the  ram,  beyond  giving  her  a  slight  list,  from  which  she 
quickly  righted,  going  on  as  before,  and  always  heading 
for  the  Hartford.  Nor  did  the  Hartford  shun  the  en- 
counter; but,  following  closely  in  the  Lackawanna's 
wake,  she  too. struck  the  Tennessee  a  fearful  blow,  at  the 
same  time  throwing  her  whole  port  broadside  full  upon 
the  casemate  of  the  ram,  which,  like  the  Monongahela's 
broadside,  failed  to  injure  it  in  the  slightest  degree. 

Surrounded  as  she  was  by  enemies,  the  ram  had  this 
advantage,  that  she  could  fire  or  run  at  every  vessel  in 
view,  while  the  Unionists  had  to  be  careful  not  to  fire  at 
or  come  in  collision  with  their  own  vessels.  Indeed,  it  so 
happened  that  the  Hartford,  while  making  for  the  ram  a 
second  time,  was  run  into  by  the  Lackawanna,  and  cut 
down  to  within  two  feet  of  the  water's  edge. 

Thus,  for  an  hour  or  more,  the  Tennessee  contended 
successfully  against  the  whole  Union  fleet;  but,  at  the 
expiration  of  that  hour,  it  became  evident  to  all  on  board 
of  her  that  victory  was  impossible  and  defeat  certain, 
unless  she  could  get  a  second  time  under  the  protection 
of  Fort  Morgan,  for  which  Captain  Johnston,  in  obe- 
dience to  Buchanan's  orders,  then  steered. 

But  by  this  time,  to  use  the  language  of  Furragut, 
"she  was  sore  beset."  The  Manhattan  was  hanging  on 
her  starboard  quarter,  pounding  her  with  fifteen-inch 
solid  and  cored  shot;  the  Winnebago,  not  far  off,  saluting 
her  with  eleven-inch  steel  bolts ;  and  the  wooden  vessels 
ramming  her,  one  after  the  other,  in  quick  succession, 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY.  37 

"with  a  reckless  daring  worthy  of  success."  But  the 
vessel  that  undoubtedly  inflicted  the  most  injury  upon 
the  ram  was  the  monitor  Chickasaw,  commanded  by 
Lieutenant-Commander  George  H.  Perkins,  "  which 
hung,"  said  the  pilot  of  the  Tennessee,  "  close  under  our 
stern.  Move  as  we  would,  she  was  always  there,  firing 
the  two  eleven-inch  guns  in  her  forward  turret  like 
pocket-pistols,  so  that  she  soon  had  the  plates  flying  in 
the  air." 

Thus,  "  stormed  at  by  shot  and  shell,"  and  rammed, 
every  few  minutes,  by  a  heavy  vessel  going  at  great 
speed,  with  three  of  her  wrought-iron  port-shutters 
jammed  while  half  closed,  and  her  steering-apparatus,13 
relieving  tackles,  and  smoke-stack  shot  away,  the  Ten- 
nessee lay,  at  last,  like  a  log  upon  the  water,  —  a  mere 
target  for  her  foes. 

Then  Captain  Johnston,  repairing  to  the  berth  deck, 
where  Admiral  Buchanan  was  lying,  under  the  surgeon's 
hands,  with  a  fractured  leg,  sorrowfully  reported  to  the 
admiral  that  resistance  was  no  longer  possible.  "  Do  the 
best  you  can,  Johnston,"  was  Buchanan's  reply,  "  and 
when  all  is  done,  surrender." 

When  Johnston  returned  to  the  pilot-house,  he  beheld 
the  Ossipee  approaching  at  full  speed,  while  the  fire  of 
our  vessels  was  each  instant  increasing  in  intensity.  The 
Tennessee  had  already  done  her  best,  and  there  was  no 
time  for  dilly-dallying ;  so,  hastening  to  the  top  of  "  the 
shield,"  which  was  exposed  to  a  perfect  shower  of  solid 
projectiles,  this  truly  brave  man  hauled  down  the  Confed- 
erate ensign  with  his  own  hands.  —  It  had  been  raised  in 
triumph,  it  was  lowered  without  dishonor.14 

The  captured  officers  and  men  were  transferred  to  the 


38  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

Ossipee,  and  soon  afterward  sent  to  Pensacola ;  and  it  is 
pleasant  to  know  that,  to  this  day,  they  speak  warmly  of 
the  hospitality  extended  to  them  by  their  captors. 

It  will  be  remembered  that,  while  this  fierce  naval  fight 
was  taking  place  in  Mobile  Bay,  De  Kraft's  flotilla,  an- 
chored in  Grant's  Pass,  was  busily  engaged  shelling  Fort 
Powell.  During  the  morning,  although  the  fort  was  hit 
several  times,  no  particular  damage  was  done  to  it ;  but, 
about  two  in  the  afternoon,  the  Chickasaw,  steaming  up 
to  within  seven  hundred  yards  of  its  eastern  face,  com- 
menced a  rapid  fire  with  shell  and  grape,  which  the  enemy 
was  only  able  to  reply  to  with  a  single  Brook's  rifle.  A 
shell,  entering  one  of  the  sally-ports,  passed  entirely 
through  the  bomb-proof,  and  buried  itself,  without  ex- 
ploding, in  the  opposite  wall ;  another,  and  another  fol- 
lowing, burst  in  the  face  of  the  fort,  displacing  the  sand 
so  rapidly  that  Lieutenant-Colonel  Williams  its  com- 
mandant, became  convinced  that  it  would  soon  be  ren- 
dered untenable.  He  therefore  telegraphed  to  Colonel 
Anderson,  commanding  Fort  Gaines,  Unless  I  can  evac- 
uate, I  ic ill  be  compelled  to  surrender  within  forty-eight 
hours. 

Anderson's  reply  was,  Save  your  garrison  when  your  fort 
is  no  longer  tenable.  At  the  time  this  despatch  was  re- 
ceived, it  was  growing  dark,  and  the  Lieutenant-Colonel 
instantly  decided  that  it  would  be  better  to  save  hi* 
command,  and  destroy  the  fort,  than  to  allow  both  to  fall 
into  the  enemy's  hands.  The  fleet  had  not  yet  moved  up 
to  intercept  his  communications,  the  tide  was  low,  and  he 
could  not  expect  to  find  another  such  favorable  opportu- 
nity for  escaping;  so  he  silently  withdrew,  leaving  Lieu- 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY.  39 

tenants  Savage  and  Jeffers  to  spike  the  guns,  and  blow 
up  the  fort  so  soon  as  he  should  make  signal  to  them  that 
its  garrison  had  reached  the  main  land.  This  signal  was 
made  about  10.80  P.  M.,  just  as  De  Kraft  and  Lieutenant- 
Commander  Franklin,  who  had  arrived  during  the  day 
with  a  mail  for  the  fleet,  were  returning  to  the  Cone- 
maugh  in  a  small  gig  from  a  visit  to  the  victorious 
admiral. 

"  Now,  to  find  Grant's  Pass  at  night,"  writes  De  Kraft, 
"  it  was  necessary  to  steer  directly  for  Fort  Powell,  which 
loomed  up  boldly  against  the  clear  sky.  When  within 
half  a  mile  of  it,  a  bright  port-fire  was  observed  to  burn 
for  a  few  seconds  ;  then  a  dark  column  rose  suddenly  to 
a  great  height,  and  a  heavy  report  and  vivid  flash  an- 
nounced that  Fort  Powell  had  been  blown  up." 

About  daylight  the  next  morning,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Williams  marched  into  Mobile  with  every  officer  and  man 
of  his  command,  consisting  of  two  infantry  companies  of 
the  Thirty-first  Alabama,  and  a  detachment  of  Culpep- 
per's  Battery,  in  all  about  one  hundred  and  forty  souls.15 

At  the  same  time,  Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant  Pome- 
roy,  commanding  the  Estrella,  hoisted  the  stars  and 
stripes  over  the  ruins  of  the  fort,  and  a  large  force  was 
set  to  work  to  remove  the  obstructions  in  Grant's  Pass, 
which  being  soon  effected,  direct  communication  by  water 
was  once  more  established  between  Mobile  Bay  and  New 
Orleans. 

During  the  morning  of  the  6th  of  August,  the  fleet 
was  occupied  in  repairing  damages ;  but  on  the  afternoon 
of  that  day  it  began  to  make  preparations  for  a  general 
bombardment  of  Fort  Games  on  the  morrow,  the  Chick- 


40  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

asaw  getting  under  way  a  little  before  sunset,  and  drop- 
ping several  shells  into  it,  as  a  forerunner  of  what  was  to 
follow. 

The  besieging  army  meanwhile  had  mounted  two  thirty- 
pounder  Parrotts  and  four  twelve-pounder  rifles,  and  was 
hard  at  work  laying  down  platforms  for  new  guns. 

But  Admiral  Farragut,  knowing  full  well  the  fort  could 
not  hold  out  long  against  such  a  fire  as  would  be  brought 
to  bear  upon  it,  and  anxious  to  spare  the  further  effusion 
of  blood,  sent  a  flag-of-truce  boat  to  the  fort,  as  soon  as 
the  Chickasaw  withdrew  from  it,  with  a  request  that 
Colonel  Anderson  and  his  staff  would  come  to  see  him  on 
board  the  Hartford.  Colonel  Anderson  accepted  the  in- 
vitation, and  was  accompanied  by  Major  Brown,  and  both 
were  very  kindly  received  by  the  admiral  in  his  cabin. 

There  were  present  at  this  interview,  beside  the  admiral 
and  the  two  Confederate  officers,  Major-General  Gordon 
Granger,  Captain  Pcrcival  Drayton,  and  Major  James  E. 
Montgomery,  Assistant-Adjutant-General  and  Chief  of 
Staff  of  the  thirteenth  army  corps. 

The  admiral  then  said  to  Colonel  Anderson  that  he  had 
sent  for  him  to  advise  the  immediate  surrender  of  the 
fort.  "Surrounded  on  three  sides  by  my  vessels,  and  on 
the  fourth  by  the  army,"  said  he,  "  you  cannot  possibly 
hold  it.  Submit,  then,  like  a  man  to  this  hard  necessity, 
and  prevent  further  loss  of  life." 

Anderson  at  once  saw  the  force  of  the  admiral's  advice, 
and  appreciated  its  humanity;  but  Major  Brown  de- 
murred, and  wanted  to  "fight  it  out,''  when  Farragut 
told  him  he  could  understand  his  feelings,  and  was  the 
last  man  to  advise  a  surrender  as  long  as  there  was  a 
hope  of  preventing  it ;  adding,  with  much  feeling,  "  Gen- 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT.  41 

tlemen,  if  hard  fighting  could  save  that  fort,  I  would 
advise  you  to  fight  to  the  death ;  but,  by  all  the  laws  of 
war,  you  have  not  even  a  chance  of  saving  it."  The 
major  admitted  it  was  a  forlorn  hope,  and  finally  agreed 
with  his  colonel  that  the  surrender  was  necessary,  and  it 
was  then  and  there  agreed  that  it  should  take  place  on 
the  following  morning,  at  nine  o'clock. 

The  officers  took  a  glass  of  wine  together,  and  signed 
the  surrender,  and  the  meeting  broke  up,  Captain  Dray- 
ton  and  Major  Montgomery  being  appointed  by  their 
respective  chiefs  to  take  possession  of  the  fort  on  the 
morrow,  in  the  name  of  the  army  and  navy  of  the  United 
States. 

Accordingly,  at  nine  A.  M.  of  the  7th,  Drayton  and 
Montgomery  were  admitted  into  the  fort,  and,  an  hour  or 
two  later,  the  besieging  army,  conducted  by  Montgomery, 
appeared  before  its  walls.  Then  the  garrison  marched 
out  and  stacked  their  arms,  and  the  officers  delivered  up 
their  swords,  and  Fort  Gaines  passed  into  Federal  hands, 
striking  its  flag  to  the  Navy. 

The  Confederates  were  now  embarked  in  transports 
and  sent  to  New  Orleans,  while  the  Union  troops,  finding 
in  the  fort  a  large  quantity  of  supplies,  "regaled  them- 
selves," according  to  Andrews,  "  with  the  best  meal  they 
had  had  since  arriving  on  Dauphine  Island,  —  corn- 
dodgers, fried  bacon,  and  coffee." 

Immediately  after  the  surrender  of  Fort  Gaines,  Fort 
Morgan  was  formally  summoned  by  the  admiral  and  Gen- 
eral Granger,  the  message  from  the  former  being  deliv- 
ered in  person  to  General  Page,  who  commanded  it,  by 
Lieutenant  J.  Crittenden  Watson,  that  of  the  latter  by 
Major  Montgomery.  But  General  Page  expressed  his 


42  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

determination  to  defend  his  post  to  the  last  extremity, 
and  preparations  were  therefore  at  once  made  by  the  com- 
bined forces  to  reduce  it. 

"  On  the  9th,  at  daylight,  General  Granger's  command, 
now  re-enforced  by  the  Twentieth  Wisconsin,  Thirty- 
eighth  Iowa,  and  Ninety-fourth  Illinois,  embarked  for 
Navy  Cove,  four  miles  from  Fort  Morgan,  on  the  bay 
side."  From  this  point  they  gradually  advanced,  until, 
by  the  21st,  —  a  siege  train  having  previously  arrived, 
under  Brigadier-General  Richard  Arnold,  —  the  land 
forces  had  sixteen  mortars  and  twenty-five  cannon  in 
position,  within  five  hundred  yards  of  the  fort,  the  naval 
battery  of  four  nine-inch  Dahlgrens,  manned  by  seamen 
taken  from  the  Hartford,  Brooklyn,  Richmond,  and  Lack- 
awanna,  and  commanded  by  Lieutenant  H.  B.  Tyson, 
being  of  the  number. 

At  daylight  on  the  22d,  the  monitors  and  other  vessels 
of  the  fleet  took  the  stations  assigned  them  north,  south* 
and  west  of  the  fort,  —  the  army  being  on  the  east,  —  so 
that  it  was  completely  invested.  Then  began  one  of  the 
most  furious  bombardments  that  sailor  or  soldier  has  ever 
witnessed.  It  continued  all  day  long  without  intermis- 
sion, but  after  sunset  began  to  slacken,  until,  by  nine  at 
night,  it  had  become  slow  and  irregular.  Just  then,  how- 
ever, a  bright  light  shot  up  from  the  centre  of  the  fort, 
and  it  was  discovered  that  the  citadel  was  on  fire,  when 
the  besiegers  sprung  with  renewed  vigor  to  their  guns, 
whose  never-ceasing  flashes  fairly  illumined  the  sky  —  six 
or  eight  mortar-shells  could  be  seen  in  the  air  at  once, 
while  the  thunder  of  the  artillery  was  heard  even  in 
Mobile. 

Yet  amid  all  the  horrors  of  this  disastrous  night,  with 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY.  43 

their  walls  breached,  almost  every  piece  of  ordnance  dis- 
abled, and  the  magazines  endangered  by  the  conflagra- 
tion, which  raged  fiercely  for  several  hours,  the  garrison 
of  Fort  Morgan  was  not  dismayed.  Some  of  the  soldiers 
applied  themselves  to  throwing  their  powder  into  the  cis- 
terns, others  to  spiking  or  destroying  dismounted  guns, 
while  others  again  contended  successfully  with  the  de- 
vouring flames.  Among  these,  Privates  Murphy,  Ben- 
bough,  and  Stevens,  of  the  First  Tennessee,  were  espe- 
cially commended  by  their  general  "for  great  courage 
and  daring  displayed." 

As  day  dawned,  the  citadel  was  again  set  on  fire,  and 
burned  until  it  was  consumed.  To  resist  louger  would 
have  been  madness,  and  at  six  A.  M.  a  white  flag  was  dis- 
played upon  the  parapet  of  the  fort,  when  the  firing  of 
the  Unionists  ceased. 

At  two  in  the  afternoon  the  ceremony  of  surrender 
took  place,  and  the  brave  garrison,  whose  loss  had  been 
between  fifty  and  sixty  in  killed  and  wounded,  was  sent 
to  New  Orleans  in  the  steamers  Bienville  and  Tennessee. 

Thus  the  Confederate  banner  disappeared  from  view, 
and  the  whole  of  Mobile  Bay  was  ours. 

Yet.  remembering  that  of  the  actors  in  this  strife  all 
were  Americans,  we  glory  not  in  our  brothers'  defeat, 
rejoice  not  in  our  victory,  save  as  these  have  tended  to 
the  restoration  of  the  Union. 

God  grant  that  when  the  next  war  comes,  in  every 
fight,  whether  by  land  or  by  sea,  we  may  stand  shoulder 
to  shoulder  and  side  by  side,  with  the  star-spangled  ban- 
ner—  the  emblem  of  equal  rights  to  all  —  waving  above 
our  heads,  and  not  one  single  sectional  flag  to  be  seen 
upon  the  battle-field. 


44  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

God  grant,  too,  that  Farragut's  name  may  ever  be  re- 
vered by  his  countrymen,  and  that,  in  remembrance  of 
his  glorious  services,  his  patriotism,  and  his  valor,  the  old 
Hartford  be  preserved  by  us,  as  the  great  English  nation 
preserves  Nelson's  flag-ship,  the  Victory.16 


NOTES. 


NOTE  1.     (Page  7.) 

Mauvila  era  Lugar  fortificado.  Tenia  ochenta  casas,  aunque  en 
cada  una  cabian  mil  Hombres :  estaba  en  un  llano,  cercado  de 
Maderas  hincados,  i  otros  atrevesados  con  Paja  larga,  i  unas  Que- 
brados,  i  Tierra,  con  que  se  hinchian  los  huecos,  de  manera,  que 
parecia  Muralla,  6  Pared  enlucida  con  Liana  de  Albanir,  i  k  cada 
ochenta  pasos  havia  una  Torre,  adonde  podian  pelear  ocho  Hom- 
bres, i  havia  muchas  Saeteras  con  dos  puertas,  i  enmedio  de  el 
Lugar  havia  una  gran  Placa.  —  HERRERA. 


NOTE  2.     (Page  7.) 

Tascaluga,  sabiendo,  por  sus  correos,  que  el  Governador  venia 
cerca,  salio  a  recebirle  fuera  del  Pueblo.  Estava  en  un  cerrillo 
alto,  lugar  eminente,  de  donde  a  todas  partes  se  descubria  mucha 
ticrra.  Tenia  en  su  compania  no  mas  de  cien  hombres  Nobles, 
muy  bien  aderegados  de  ricas  mantas  de  diversos  aforros,  con 
grandes  plumages  en  las  cabe9as  conforme  el  trage,  y  usan<?a  dellas. 
Todos  estavan  en  pie,  solo  Tascalu9a  estava  sentado  en  una  silla, 
de  las  que  los  Senores  de  aquellas  tierras  usan,  que  son  de  madera, 
una  tercia,  poco  mas,  6  menos  de  alto,  con  algun  concavo,  para  el 
asiento,  sin  espaldar,  ni  bra^eras,  toda  de  una  pie9a.  Cabe  si 
tenia  un  Alferez  con  un  gran  Estandarte  hecho  de  gamuca  ama- 
rilla,  con  tres  barras  a9ules  que  lo  partian  de  una  parte  a  otra, 

45 


46 

hecho  al  mismo  talle,  y  forma  de  los  Estandartes  que  en  Espana 
traen  las  Companias  de  Cavallos. 

Fue  cosa  nueva  para  los  Espanoles,  ver  Insignia  Militar,  porque 
hasta  entonces  no  avian  visto,  Estandarte,  Vandera,  ni  Guion.  — 
GARCILASO  PE  LA  VEGA. 


NOTE  3.     (Page  7.) 

El  Capitan  Diego  de  Soto  llego  a  lo  mas  recio  de  la  batalla,  y 
apenas  havia  entrado  en  ella,  quando  le  dieron  un  flecha9O  por  un 
ojo,  que  se  salio  al  colodrillo,  de  que  cayo  luego  en  tierra,  y  sin 
habla  estuvo  agoni;ando  hasta  otro  dia,  que  murio  sin  que  huvie- 
sen  podido  quitarle  la  flecha.  Esta  fue  la  vengan9a  que  hi^o  k 
su  pariente  Don  Carlos,  para  mayor  dolor,  y  perdida  del  General, 
y  de  todo  el  Exercito,  porque  eran  dos  Cavalleros,  que  dignamente 
merecian  ser  Sobrinos  de  tal  Tio.  —  GARCILASO. 


NOTE  4.     (Page  8.) 

Fort  Morgan,  at  the  entrance  of  Mobile  Bay,  was  taken  this 
morning  by  Alabama  troops,  and  is  now  garrisoned  by  two  hun- 
dred men. —  THE  PBESS,  January  5,  1861. 

The  United  States  arsenal  at  Mobile  was  taken  by  the  seces- 
sionists at  daylight,  this  morning.  It  contained  six  stand  of  arms, 
fifteen  hundred  barrels  of  powder,  three  hundred  thousand  rounds 
of  musket-cartridges,  and  other  munitions  of  war.  There  was  no 
defence.  —  EVENING  POST,  January  7,  1861. 


NOTE  5.     (Page  12.) 

The  Natchez  Courier  of  to-day  says  :  "  Fort  Morgan  welcomed 
the  blockading  fleet  by  displaying  the  United  States  flag,  with  the 
Union  down,  from  the  same  staff,  and  below  the  Confederate 
flag.  —  May  27,  1861. 


NOTES.  47 

NOTE  6.     (Page  14.) 
Of  these  "  absurd  rumors ''  the  following  is  a  specimen  : 

CHICAGO,  Thursday,  July  31,  (1863.)  The  Times  has  a  special 
despatch,  dated  Memphis,  28th  instant,  which  says :  "  Late  ad- 
vices from  the  South,  by  rebel  sources,  are  important.  Ten  iron- 
clad gunboats,  built  in  England,  and  fully  equipped,  have  arrived 
off  Mobile  harbor,  and  three  more  are  on  their  way.  These  con- 
stitute a  fleet,  ordered  by  the  Southern  Confederacy,  and  purchased 
in  Europe.  They  mount  from  ten  to  thirty  guns  each,  and  are 
said  to  be  mailed  with  six-inch  iron.  The  blockade  was  run 
openly,  by  the  dint  of  superior  strength  and  weight  of  metal. 
Mobile  is  now  considered  open  to  the  commerce  of  the  world, 
with  the  support  of  the  newly-acquired  power." 


NOTE  7.     (Page  20.) 

While  the  Itasca  was  passing  Fort  Morgan,  her  commanding 
officer,  Lieutenant-Commander  George  Brown,  was  struck  by  a 
splinter,  which  caused  him  for  some  moments  great  pain.  "  What 
is  the  matter,  Brown  ?  "  asked  the  executive  officer  of  the  Ossipee  ; 
"  have  you  been  struck  by  a  splinter  ? "  "  You  may  call  it  a 
splinter  on  your  big  vessel,"  roared  Brown,  in  reply ;  "  but  aboard 
this  little  craft  it  ranks  as  a  log  of  wood." 


NOTE  8.     (Page  26.) 

A  curious  incident  of  the  passage  of  Fort  Morgan  is  related  by 
several  officers : 

When  the  Tecumseh  went  down,  the  crew  of  the  Hartford 
sprung  upon  her  starboard  hammock  rail,  and  gave  three  loud, 
defiant  cheers.  This  cheering  was  mistaken,  by  the  crews  of  the 
vessels  following  the  Hartford,  as  an  indication  of  some  advantage 
gained  over  the  enemy,  and  taken  up  by  them  in  succession. 


48  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

"  I  hailed  the  Lackawanna,"  says  Captain  McCann,  who  com- 
manded the  Kennebec,  "  to  learn  the  cause  of  the  prolonged 
cheering.  '  The  Tccumsch  has  sunk  the  Tennessee!'  some  one 
replied,  and  in  an  instant,  my  men  were  cheering  as  enthusiasti- 
cally as  the  others." 

NOTE  9.     (Page  31.) 

"  Not  to  have  made  mistakes."  says  Jomini,  "  is  never  to  have 
commanded ; "  yet  the  only  flaw  in  Farragut's  order  of  battle 
seems  to  have  been  his  permitting  the  Oneida  to  bring  up  the  rear. 
Our  experience  during  the  civil  war  showed  that,  in  passing  forts 
and  batteries,  the  last  vessel  invariably  got  "  peppered ;  "  there- 
fore, the  starboard  rear  vessel  of  the  column  should  have  been  one 
whose  broadside  was  to  be  dreaded.  Had  the  Richmond,  for 
instance,  whose  fire  is  particularly  commended  "  for  precision, 
accuracy,  and  rapidity,"  been  in  the  Oneida's  place,  the  whole 
fleet  would  probably  have  passed  the  forts  almost  unscathed. 


NOTE  10.     (Page  33.) 

Just  as  the  Tennessee  made  for  the  fort,  her  ensign  was  shot 
away,  creating  the  impression  among  the  Unionists  that  she  had 
surrendered,  and  great  was  their  disappointment  when  they  saw  it 
go  up  again. 


NOTE  11.     (Page  34.) 

When  Farragut  made  signal  Gunboats  chase  enemy's  gunboats, 
Jouett  was  off  in  a  moment.  His  vessel  was  very  fast,  but,  owing 
to  the  fact  that  she  drew  much  more  water  than  the  Confederate 
gunboats,  he  found  himself,  before  long,  dragging  the.  bottom.  The 
executive  officer,  Lieutenant  Sleeper,  than  whom  no  cooler  man 
lived,  reported  to  him  that  the  Metacomet  had  a  foot  less  water 
under  her  bottom  than  her  draught.  This  was  startling;  for, 


NOTES.  49 

should  the  vessel  ground  hard,  the  pursued  might  return  upon  the 
pursuer,  and  change  the  game  somewhat.  "  Call  the  leadsmen  in 
from  the  chains,  Mr.  Sleeper ! "  ordered  Jouett.  Mr.  Sleeper 
looked  amazed.  "  I  tell  you,"  said  Jouett,  who  idolized  Farragut, 
and  was  a  strict  constructionist,  "  the  admiral  has  directed  me  to 
follow  those  gunboats,  and  I  am  going  to  do  it.  Call  the.  men  in 
from  the  chains  at  once,  sir ;  they  are  demoralizing  me ! "  At 
this  the  crew,  who  knew  their  commander  well,  set  up  a  loud 
laugh,  and  the  Metacomet  continued  in  pursuit,  with  the  result 
we  know. 


NOTE  12.     (Page  34.) 

While  the  gallantry  of  Buchanan's  attack  upon  the  Union  fleet 
must  be  acknowledged,  it  was  certainly  most  Quixotic  to  make  it. 
"  C'est  magnifique"  said  an  old  French  officer  who  witnessed  the 
charge  of  "The  Five  Hundred,"  "  mais  ce  n'est  pas  la  guerre." 


NOTE  13.     (Page  37.) 

The  shot  which  gave  the  coup  de  grace  to  the  Tennessee  was 
that  which  destroyed  her  steering-gear.  The  credit  of  firing  it 
has  been  claimed  for  several  vessels,  and  there  is  no  positive  evi- 
dence regarding  it ;  but  the  general  opinion  of  those  who  were 
actors  in  the  strife  confers  the  honor  upon  the  Chickasaw ;  and 
the  verdict  is  justified,  I  think,  by  the  report  of  the  board  of  offi- 
cers who  held  a  "  strict  and  careful  survey"  upon  the  ram,  a  few 
days  after  the  action.  The  difficulty  of  establishing  a  matter  of 
this  kind  beyond  cavil  is  shown  in  the  fact  that  several  of  our 
commanders  lay  claim  to  the  honor  of  shooting  away  the  Ten- 
nessee's smoke-stack,  while  Captain  Johnston  says  (page  76) : 
"  At  about  the  same  time,  the  smoke-pipe,  which  had  been  riddled 
by  shot,  was  broken  close  off  to  the  top  of  the  shield,  or  upper 
deck,  by  the  concussion  produced  by  the  ramming  process  adopted 
by  the  heavy  vessels  of  the  enemy"  &c.,  &c. 
4 


50  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

NOTE  14.     (Page  37.) 

As  the  opinion  has  been  very  generally  expressed,  that  Bu- 
chanan should  have  made  his  attack  on  the  Union  fleet  after 
nightfall,  the  following  extract  from  a  little  memorandum-book, 
carried  by  Farragut  in  his  pocket  on  that  memorable  5th  of  Au- 
gust, is  of  great  interest,  as  showing  that  our  admiral  was  pre- 
pared for  every  emergency :  "  Had  Buchanan  remained  under  the 
fort,  I  should  have  attacked  him  as  soon  as  it  became  so  dark  as 
to  prevent  Page,  amid  the  smoke  of  our  guns,  from  distinguishing 
friend  from  foe.  I  intended  to  go  in  with  the  three  monitors  — 
myself  on  board  the  Manhattan." 


NOTE  15.     (Page  39.) 

It  will  be  observed  that  General  Maury,  in  his  official  reports, 
expresses  great  indignation  at  the  "precipitate"  evacuation  of 
Fort  Powell,  and  the  surrender  of  Fort  Gaines ;  yet  it  appears 
more  than  probable  that,  in  the  light  of  after  experience,  this  dis- 
tinguished officer's  views  must  have  been  materially  modified. 

As  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Williams,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that 
he  acted  wisely  and  prudently;  for,  had  he  remained  in  Fort 
Powell,  the  monitors  Chickasaw  and  Winnebago,  and  the  light- 
draught  gunboats  moving  up,  on  August  6th,  to  within  a  few  hun- 
dred yards  of  its  eastern  face,  and  crossing  their  fire  with  De 
Kraft's  flotilla  outside,  would  have  forced  a  surrender  in  less  than 
twelve  hours,  and  the  garrison,  which  Williams  saved  for  the  de- 
fence of  Mobile,  have  fallen  into  our  hands. 

With  regard  to  forts  Morgan  and  Gaines,  the  question  seems 
to  be  one  purely  of  time.  If  there  had  been  a  Confederate  army 
marching  to  the  relief  of  Mobile,  it  would  undoubtedly  have  been 
the  duty  of  General  Page  and  Colonel  Anderson  to  hold  their  forts 
to  the  last  extremity ;  but  so  far  was  this  from  being  the  case, 
that  General  Maury,  according  to  his  own  statement,  was  at  that 


NOTES.  51 

very  time  sending  reinforcements  to  co-operate  with  Forrest  in 
holding  in  check  "  a  force  of  fifteen  thousand  men  advancing  down 
the  Mississippi  Central  road,"  while  only  one  thousand  "  reserves  " 
could  be  mustered  to  aid  the  scanty  garrison  of  four  thousand 
soldiers,  citizens,  and  militia  manning  the  works  about  Mobile. 
Remembering,  then,  that  Fort  Morgan  held  out  only  one  day  after 
it  was  fully  invested,  the  thoughtful  reader  cannot  fail  to  be  im- 
pressed with  the  idea  that  General  Page  would  have  done  well  had 
he  blown  up  Fort  Morgan  as  soon  as  the  Union  fleet  was  in  undis- 
puted possession  of  Mobile  Bay,  and  marched  his  troops  to  Mo- 
bile ;  and  that  Colonel  Anderson's  duty  to  his  soldiers,  many  of 
whom  were  mere  boys,  required  him  to  act,  under  the  circum- 
stances, precisely  as  he  did. 


NOTE  16.     (Page  44.) 

The  following  trova  of  Mossen  Jaime  Febrer,  an  Arragonese 
troubadour  of  the  thirteenth  century,  will  doubtless  be  of  interest 
to  many  readers,  since  it  relates  to  Don  Pedro  Ferragut,  one  of 
the  "  conquerors"  of  Majorca,  from  whom  our  Farragut  is  said  to 
have  descended. 

PEDRO  FERRA.GUT. 

Troba  237. 

Sobre  camp  bermell  una  ferradura 
De  finisim  or,  ab  un  clav  daurat, 
Pere  Ferragut  pinta,  4  en  tal  figura 
Esplica  lo  agnom.     La  historia  asegura 
Ser  aragones,  de  Jaca  baixat. 
Apres  que  en  Mallorca  servi  de  sargent, 
Venint  a  Valencia,  hon  gran  renom  guanya 
De  expert  capita  per  lo  dilitgent ; 
Los  anys,  e  sucesos  lo  feven  prudent 
Te  en  lo  pelear  gran  cordura  e  manya, 
Perque  a  totes  armes  facilment  se  apanya. 


52 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 


The  above  may  be  rendered  into  English  thus :  Peter  Fer- 
ragut,  in  order  that  all  might  know  his  agnomen,  painted  upon  the 
vermilion  of  his  shield  a  golden  nail  and  horse-shoe. 

History  informs  us  that  he  was  born  in  Jaca,  in  Aragon.  After 
serving  as  a  sergeant  in  Mallorca,  he  went  to  Valencia,  where  he 
gained  great  renown  as  a  captain  whose  age  and  experience  had 
made  him  at  once  adventurous  and  prudent.  He  was  famous  for 
his  skill  in  the  use  of  arms,  and  for  his  great  amiability  in  battle. 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT.  53 


BATTLE  OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

BY   COMMODORE   THOMAS    H.    STEVENS,    U.  8.  N. 

Fair  broke  the  morn  off  Mobile  Bay ; 
On  Morgan's  crest  its  first  beams  play  ; 
O'er  stately  ships,  and  mirrored  deep, 
The  blushes  of  the  morning  creep. 

Fair  broke  the  morn ;  on  distant  strand 
The  rippling  waters  kiss  the  land ; 
The  spirit  of  repose  rests  there, 
To  greet  the  morn  so  bright,  so  fair. 

O,  Morn  of  Peace  !  no  token  thou 
Of  changing  scene  that  greets  us  now. 
Like  phantom  craft,  at  given  sign, 
The  stately  ships  swing  into  line. 

Stately  and  grand,  in  dark  array, 
Slow  moves  the  Fleet  for  Mobile  Bay ; 
With  the  first  beam  of  morning  sun 
Booms  o'er  the  sea  the  signal  gun. 

With  the  first  beam  of  morning  sun, 
With  the  first  flash  of  signal  gun, 
Fierce  broke  the  battle's  angry  blast, 
Through  riven  hull  and  shivered  mast. 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

The  red-lipped  guns  their  missiles  sent 
From  ships  to  forts  and  battlement ; 
And  fiercer,  angrier  than  before, 
Like  voice  of  storms,  the  battle's  roar. 

Still  swells  the  storm  ;  no  line  of  fire 
Stops  the  stout  heart  from  its  desire ; 
Resistless  as  the  march  of  Fate, 
Slow  moves  the  Fleet  to  Mobile's  Gate. 

Slow  moves  the  Fleet :  what  stops  the  way, 
To  bring  disaster  on  the  day? 
Who  dares  to  deeds  of  high  emprise 
Counts  not  the  cost,  nor  sacrifice ! 

To  these  high  praise  and  meed  belong 
From  the  celestial  sons  of  song ; 
Who  nobly  dares,  like  Craven  strives, 
Shall  live  immortal  as  the  skies. 

Dark  grew  the  day ;  beneath  the  wave 
Bold  Craven  finds  a  warrior's  grave  ; 
Confused,  defenceless,  helpless,  lay 
The  Union  Fleet  near  Mobile  Bay. 

Quickly  did  foeman's  eye  discern 
The  changing  tide  of  battle  turn  ; 
On  iron  ships,  on  ships  of  oak, 
Anew  the  scathing  tempest  broke. 

Great  souls  with  the  occasion  rise. 
Inspired  by  Him  who  rules  the  skies ; 
With  faith  unshaken,  clear  eyes  see 
The  means  and  path  to  victory. 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT.  55 

Lashed  to  the  mast,  our  great  chief  saw 
The  coming  crisis  of  the  war ; 
Quick  to  divine,  and  firm  as  rock, 
His  great  soul  rose  to  meet  the  shock. 

Then  from  aloft  was  heard  the  cry, 
"  Forward  !     Why  linger  here  to  die  ?  " 
We  saw  the  HARTFORD  lead  the  way  — 
The  ships  once  more  in  firm  array. 

Forward  and  onward  sweeps  the  Fleet, 
By  battered  forts,  fresh  foes  to  meet ; 
O'er  sunken  mines,  that  strew  the  bay, 
Through  shot  and  shell,  that  round  us  play. 

Like  lions,  crouching  in  their  lair, 
The  foemen's  ships  in  wait  lie  there,  — 
With  raking  cannon  guard  the  way, 
Where  lay  our  course,  up  Mobile  Bay. 

Short,  sharp,  decisive  was  the  stroke, 
As  through  their  serried  line  we  broke ; 
Victorious,  at  noon  of  day, 
Anchored  our  Fleet  in  Mobile  Bay. 


APPENDIX. 


ATTACK  ON  THE  DEFENCES   OF  MOBILE. 

Detailed  Report  of  Rear-Admiral  D.  G-.  Farragut. 

UNITED  STATES  FLAG-SHIP  HARTFORD,  ) 
MOBILE  BAT,  August  12,  18G4.          3 

SIE  :  I  had  the  honor  to  forward  to  the  department, 
on  the  evening  of  the  5th  instant,  a  report  of  my  entree 
into  Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  of  that  day,  and  which, 
though  brief,  contained  all  the  principal  facts  of  the 
attack. 

Notwithstanding  the  loss  of  life,  particularly  on  this 
ship,  and  the  terrible  disaster  to  the  Tecumseh,  the  result 
of  the  fight  was  a  glorious  victory,  and  I  have  reason  to 
feel  proud  of  the  officers,  seamen,  and  marines  of  the 
squadron  under  my  command,  for  it  has  never  fallen  to 
the  lot  of  an  officer  to  be  thus  situated  and  thus  sus- 
tained. 

Regular  discipline  will  bring  men  to  any  amount  of 
endurance,  but  there  is  a  natural  fear  of  hidden  dangers, 
particularly  when  so  awfully  destructive  of  human  life  as 
the  torpedo,  which  requires  more  than  discipline  to  over- 
come. 

57 


58  THE  BATTLE  OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

Preliminary  to  a  report  of  the  action  of  the  fifth,  I 
desire  to  call  the  attention  of  the  department  to  the  pre- 
vious steeps  taken  in  consultation  with  Generals  Canby 
and  Granger.  On  the  8th  of  July  I  had  an  interview 
with  these  officers  on  board  the  Hartford,  on  the  subject 
of  an  attack  upon  forts  Morgan  and  Gaines,  at  which  it 
was  agreed  that  General  Canby  would  send  all  the  troops 
he  could  spare  to  co-operate  with  the  fleet.  Circum- 
stances soon  obliged  General  Canby  to  inform  me  that  he 
could  not  dispatch  a  sufficient  number  to  invest  both 
forts ;  and,  in  reply,  I  suggested  that  Gaines  should  be 
first  invested,  engaging  to  have  a  force  in  the  sound 
ready  to  protect  the  landing  of  the  army  on  Dauphine 
Island,  in  the  rear  of  that  fort,  and  I  assigned  Lieu- 
tenant-Commander De  Kraft,  of  the  Conemaugh,  to  that 
duty. 

On  the  1st  instant  General  Granger  visited  me  again 
on  the  Hartford.  In  the  meantime  the  Tecumseh  had 
arrived  at  Pensacola,  and  Captain  Craven  had  informed 
me  that  he  would  be  ready  in  four  days  for  any  service. 
We  therefore  fixed  upon  the  4th  of  August  as  the  day 
for  the  landing  of  the  troops  and  my  entrance  into  the 
bay,  but  owing  to  delays  mentioned  in  Captain  Jenkins' 
communication  to  me,  the  Tecumseh  was  not  ready. 
General  Granger,  however,  to  my  mortification,  was  up 
to  time,  and  the  troops  actually  landed  on  Dauphine 
Island. 

As  subsequent  events  proved,  the  delay  turned  to  our 
advantage,  as  the  rebels  were  busily  engaged  during  the 
4th  in  throwing  troops  and  supplies  into  Fort  Gaines,  all 
of  which  were  captured  a  few  days  afterward. 

The  Tecumseh  arrived  on  the  evening  of  the  4th,  and 


APPENDIX.  59 

everything  being  propitious,  I  proceeded  to  the  attack  on 
the  following  morning. 

As  mentioned  in  my  previous  despatch,  the  vessels  out- 
side the  bar,  which  were  designed  to  participate  in  the 
engagement,  were  all  under  way  by  forty  minutes  past 
five  in  the  morning,  in  the  following  order,  two  abreast, 
and  lashed  together :  —  Brooklyn,  Captain  James  Alden, 
with  the  Octorora,  Lieutenant-Commander  C.  H.  Green, 
on  the  port  side;  Hartford,  Captain  Percival  Drayton, 
with  the  Metacomet,  Lieutenant-Commander  J.  E.  Jouett; 
Richmond,  Captain  T.  A.  Jenkins,  with  the  Port  Royal, 
Lieutenant-Commander  B.  Gherardi;  Lackawanna,  Cap- 
tain J.  B.  Marchand,  with  the  Seminole,  Commander  E. 
Donaldson ;  Monongahela,  Commander  J.  H.  Strong,  with 
the  Kennebec,  Lieutenant-Commander  W.  P.  McCann; 
Ossipee,  Commander  W.  E.  Le  Roy,  with  the  Itasca, 
Lieutenant-Commander  George  Brown ;  Oneida,  Com- 
mander J.  R.  M.  Mullany,  with  the  Galena,  Lieutenant- 
Commander  C.  H.  Wells.  The  iron-clads  —  Tecumseh, 
Commander  T.  A.  M.  Craven;  the  Manhattan,  Com- 
mander J.  W.  A.  Nicholson ;  the  Winnebago,  Commander 
T.  H.  Stevens;  and  the  Chickasaw,  Lieutenant-Com- 
mander G.  H.  Perkins  —  were  already  inside  the  bar,  and 
had  been  ordered  to  take  up  their  positions  on  the  star- 
board side  of  the  wooden  ships,  or  between  them  and 
Fort  Morgan,  for  the  double  purpose  of  keeping  down  the 
fire  from  the  water  battery  and  the  parapet  guns  of  the 
fort,  as  well  as  to  attack  the  ram  Tennessee  as  soon  as 
the  fort  was  passed. 

It  was  only  at  the  urgent  request  of  the  captains  and 
commanding  officers  that  I  yielded  to  the  Brooklyn  being 
the  leading  ship  of  the  line,  as  she  had  four  chase  guns 


60  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

and  an  ingenious  arrangement  for  picking  up  torpedoes, 
and  because,  in  their  judgment,  the  flag-ship  ought  not  to 
be  too  much  exposed.  This  I  believe  to  be  un  error; 
for,  apart  from  the  fact  that  exposure  is  one  of  the  pen- 
alties of  rank  in  the  navy,  it  will  always  be  the  aim  of 
the  enemy  to  destroy  the  flag-ship,  and,  as  will  appear  in 
the  sequel,  such  attempt  was  very  persistently  made,  but 
Providence  did  not  permit  it  to  be  successful. 

The  attacking  fleet  steamed  steadily  up  the  main  ship- 
channel,  the  Tecumseh  firing  the  first  shot  at  forty-seven 
minutes  past  six  o'clock.  At  six  minutes  past  seven  the 
fort  opened  upon  us,  and  was  replied  to  by  a  gun  from 
the  Brooklyn,  and  immediately  after  the  action  became 
general. 

It  was  soon  apparent  that  there  was  some  difficulty 
ahead.  The  Brooklyn,  for  some  cause  which  I  did  not 
then  clearly  understand,  but  which  has  since  been  ex- 
plained by  Captain  Alden  in  his  report,  arrested  the 
advance  of  the  whole  fleet,  while,  at  the  same  time,  the 
guns  of  the  fort  were  playing  with  great  effect  upon  that 
vessel  and  the  Hartford.  A  moment  after  I  saw  the 
Tecumseh,  struck  by  a  torpedo,  disappear  almost  instan- 
taneousl}-  beneath  the  waves,  carrying  with  her  her  gal- 
lant commander  and  nearly  all  her  crew.  I  determined 
at  once,  as  I  had  originally  intended,  to  take  the  lead ; 
and  after  ordering  the  Metacomet  to  send  a  boat  to  save, 
if  possible,  any  of  the  perishing  crew,  I  dashed  ahead 
with  the  Hartford,  and  the  ships  followed  on,  their  offi- 
cers believing  that  they  were  going  to  a  noble  death  with 
their  commander-in-chief. 

I  steamed  through  between  the  buoys,  where  the  tor- 
pedoes were  supposed  to  have  been  sunk.  These  buoys 


APPENDIX.  61 

had  been  previously  examined  by  my  flag-lieutenant,  J. 
Crittenden  Watson,  in  several  nightly  reconnoissances. 
Though  he  had  not  been  able  to  discover  the  sunken  tor- 
pedoes, yet  we  had  been  assured,  by  refugees,  deserters, 
and  others,  of  their  existence ;  but  believing  that,  from 
their  having  been  some  time  in  the  water,  the}7  were  prob- 
ably innocuous,  I  determined  to  take  the  chance  of  their 
explosion. 

From  the  moment  I  turned  to  the  northward,  to  clear 
the  middle  ground,  we  were  enabled  to  keep  such  a 
broadside  fire  upon  the  batteries  of  Fort  Morgan,  that 
their  guns  did  us  comparatively  little  injury. 

Just  after  we  passed  the  fort,  which  was  about  ten 
minutes  before  eight  o'clock,  the  ram  Tennessee  dashed 
out  at  this  ship,  as  had  been  expected,  and  in  anticipation 
of  which  I  had  ordered  the  monitors  on  our  starboard 
side.  I  took  no  further  notice  of  her  than  to  return 
her  fire. 

The  rebel  gunboats  Morgan,  Gaines,  and  Selma  were 
ahead;  and  the  latter  particularly  annoyed  us  with  a 
raking  fire,  which  our  guns  could  not  return.  At  two 
minutes  after  eight  o'clock  I  ordered  the  Metacomet  to 
cast  off  and  go  in  pursuit  of  the  Selma.  Captain  Jouett 
was  after  her  in  a  moment,  and  in  an  hour's  time  he  had 
her  as  a  prize.  She  was  commanded  by  P.  V.  Murphy, 
formerly  of  the  United  States  navy.  He  was  wounded 
in  the  wrist,  his  executive  officer,  Lieutenant  Comstock, 
and  eight  of  the  crew  killed,  and  seven  or  eight  wounded. 
Lieutenant-Commander  Jouett's  conduct  during  the  whole 
affair  commands  my  warmest  commendations.  The  Mor- 
gan and  Gaines  succeeded  in  escaping  under  the  protec- 
tion of  the  guns  of  Fort  Morgan,  which  would  have  been 


62  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

prevented  had  the  other  gunboats  been  as  prompt  in  their 
movements  as  the  Metacomet;  the  want  of  pilots,  how- 
ever, I  believe,  was  the  principal  difficulty.  The  Gaiues 
was  so  injured  by  our  fire  that  she  had  to  be  run  ashore, 
where  she  was  subsequently  destroyed ;  but  the  Morgan 
escaped  to  Mobile  during  the  night,  though  she  was 
chased  and  fired  upon  by  our  cruisers. 

Having  passed  the  forts  and  dispersed  the  enemy's 
gunboats,  I  had  ordered  most  of  the  vessels  to  anchor, 
when  I  perceived  the  ram  Tennessee  standing  up  for  this 
ship.  This  was  at  forty-five  minutes  past  eight.  I  was 
not  long  in  comprehending  Buchanan's  intentions  to  be 
the  destruction  of  the  flag-ship.  The  monitors,  and  such 
of  the  wooden  vessels  as  I  thought  best  adapted  for 
the  purpose,  were  immediately  ordered  to  attack  the 
ram,  not  only  with  their  guns,  but  bows  on  at  full 
speed ;  and  then  began  one  of  the  fiercest  naval  combats 
on  record. 

The  Monongahela,  Commander  Strong,  was  the  first 
vessel  that  struck  her,  and  in  doing  so  carried  away  her 
own  iron  prow,  together  with  the  cutwater,  without  ap- 
parently doing  her  adversary  much  injury.  The  Lack- 
awanna,  Captain  Marchand,  was  the  next  vessel  to  strike 
her,  which  she  did  at  full  speed ;  but  though  her  stern 
was  cut  and  crushed  to  the  plank  ends  for  the  distance  of 
three  feet  above  the  water's  edge  to  five  feet  below,  the 
only  perceptible  effect  on  the  ram  was  to  give  her  a  heavy 
list. 

The  Hartford  was  the  third  vessel  which  struck  her, 
but,  as  the  Tennessee  quickly  shifted  her  helm,  the  blow 
was  a  glancing  one,  and,  as  she  rasped  along  our  side,  we 
poured  our  whole  port  broadside  of  nine-inch  solid  shot 
within  ten  feet  of  her  casement. 


APPENDIX.  63 

The  monitors  worked  slowly,  but  delivered  their  fire  as 
opportunity  offered.  The  Chickasaw  succeeded  in  get- 
ting under  her  stern,  and  a  fifteen-inch  shot  from  the 
Manhattan  broke  through  her  iron  plating  and  heavy 
wooden  backing,  though  the  missile  itself  did  not  enter 
the  vessel. 

Immediately  after  the  collision  with  the  flag-ship,  I 
directed  Captain  Dray  ton  to  bear  down  for  the  ram  again. 
He  was  doing  so  at  full  speed,  when,  unfortunately,  the 
Lackawanna  ran  into  the  Hartford  just  forward  of  the 
mizzen-mast,  cutting  her  down  to  within  two  feet  of  the 
water's  edge.  We  soon  got  clear  again,  however,  and 
were  fast  approaching  our  adversary,  when  she  struck  her 
colors  and  ran  up  the  white  flag. 

She  was  at  this  time  sore  beset;  the  Chickasaw  was 
pounding  away  at  her  stern,  the  Ossipee  was  approaching 
her  at  full  speed,  and  the  Monongahela,  Lackawanna, 
and  this  ship  were  bearing  down  upon  her,  determined 
upon  her  destruction.  Her  smoke-stack  had  been  shot 
away,  her  steering  chains  were  gone,  compelling  a  resort 
to  her  relieving  tackles,  and  several  of  her  port-shutters 
were  jammed.  Indeed,  from  the  time  the  Hartford  struck 
her  until  her  surrender,  she  never  fired  a  gun.  As  the 
Ossipee,  Commander  Le  Roy,  was  about  to  strike  her,  she 
hoisted  the  white  flag,  and  that  vessel  immediately 
stopped  her  engine,  though  not  in  time  to  avoid  a 
glancing  blow. 

During  this  contest  with  the  rebel  gunboats  and  the 
ram  Tennessee,  and  which  terminated  by  her  surrender  at 
ten  o'clock,  we  lost  many  more  men  than  from  the  fire  of 
the  batteries  of  Fort  Morgan. 

Admiral  Buchanan  was  wounded  in  the  leg ;  two  or 


64  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

three  of  his  men  were  killed,  and  five  or  six  wounded. 
Commander  Johnston,  formerly  of  the  United  States 
navy,  was  in  command  of  the  Tennessee,  and  came  on 
board  the  flag-ship  to  surrender  his  sword,  and  that  of 
Admiral  Buchanan.  The  surgeon,  Doctor  Conrad,  came 
with  him,  stated  the  condition  of  the  admiral,  and  wished 
to  know  what  was  to  be  done  with  him.  Fleet  Surgeon 
Palmer,  who  was  on  board  the  Hartford  during  the  ac- 
tion, commiserating  the  sufferings  of  the  wounded,  sug- 
gested that  those  of  both  sides  be  sent  to  Pensacola, 
where  they  could  be  properly  cared  for.  I  therefore 
addressed  a  note  to  Brigadier-General  R.  L.  Page,  com- 
manding Fort  Morgan,  informing  him  that  Admiral  Bu- 
chanan and  others  of  the  Tennessee  had  been  wounded, 
and  desiring  to  know  whether  he  would  permit  one  of 
our  vessels,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  to  convey  them,  with 
or  without  our  wounded,  to  Pensacola,  on  the  under- 
standing that  the  vessel  should  take  out  none  but  the 
wounded,  and  bring  nothing  back  that  she  did  not  take 
out.  This  was  acceded  to  by  General  Page,  and  the 
Metacomet  proceeded  on  this  mission  of  humanity. 

I  inclose  herewith  the  correspondence  with  that  officer 
(marked  numbers  one,  two,  three,  and  four.)  I  forward 
also  the  reports  (marked  numbers  five,  six,  seven,  eight, 
nine,  ten,  eleven,  twelve,  thirteen,  fourteen,  fifteen,  six- 
teen, seventeen,  eighteen,  nineteen,  twenty,  and  twenty- 
one)  of  the  commanding  officers  of  the  vessels  who  par- 
ticipated in  the  action,  and  who  will  no  doubt  call  atten- 
tion to  the  conduct  of  such  individuals  as  most  distin- 
guished themselves. 

As  I  had  an  elevated  position  in  the  main  rigging  near 
the  top,  I  was  able  to  overlook  not  only  the  deck  of  the 


APPENDIX.  65 

Hartford,  but  the  other  vessels  of  the  fleet.  I  witnessed 
the  terrible  effects  of  the  enemy's  shot,  and  the  good  con- 
duct of  the  men  at  their  guns,  and  although  no  doubt 
their  hearts  sickened,  as  mine  did,  when  their  shipmates 
were  struck  down  beside  them,  yet  there  was  not  a  mo- 
ment's hesitation  to  lay  their  comrades  aside,  and  spring 
again  to  their  deadly  work. 

Our  little  consort,  the  Metacomet,  was  also  under  my 
immediate  eye  during  the  whole  action  up  to  the  moment 
I  ordered  her  to  cast  off  in  pursuit  of  the  Selma.  The 
coolness  and  promptness  of  Lieutenant-Commander  Jouett 
throughout  merit  high  praise ;  his  whole  conduct  was 
worthy  of  his  reputation. 

In  this  connection  I  must  not  omit  to  call  the  attention 
of  the  department  to  the  conduct  of  Acting  Ensign 
Henry  C.  Nields,  of  the  Metacomet,  who  had  charge  of 
the  boat  sent  from  that  vessel  when  the  Tecumseh  sank. 
He  took  her  in  under  one  of  the  most  galling  fires  I  ever 
saw,  and  succeeded  in  rescuing  from  death  ten  of  her 
crew,  within  six  hundred  yards  of  the  fort.  I  would 
respectfully  recommend  his  advancement. 

The  commanding  officers  of  all  the  vessels  who  took 
part  in  the  action  deserve  my  warmest  commendations, 
not  only  for  the  untiring  zeal  with  which  they  had  pre- 
pared their  ships  for  the  contest,  but  for  their  skill  and 
daring  in  carrying  out  my  orders  during  the  engagement. 
With  the  exception  of  the  momentary  arrest  of  the  fleet 
when  the  Hartford  passed  ahead,  and  to  which  I  have 
already  adverted,  the  order  of  battle  was  preserved,  and 
the  ships  followed  each  other  in  close  order  past  the  bat- 
teries of  Fort  Morgan,  and  in  comparative  safety  too, 
with  the  exception  of  the  Oneida.  Her  boilers  were  pen- 
5 


66  THE  BATTLE  OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

etrated  by  a  shot  from  the  fort,  which  completely  disabled 
her ;  but  her  consort,  the  Galena,  firmly  fastened  to  her 
side,  brought  her  safely  through,  showing  clearly  the 
wisdom  of  the  precaution  of  carrying  the  vessels  in  two 
abreast.  Commander  Mullany,  who  had  solicited  eagerly 
to  take  part  in  the  action,  was  severely  wounded,  losing 
his  left  arm. 

In  the  encounter  with  the  ram  the  commanding  officers 
obeyed  with  alacrity  the  order  to  run  her  down,  and 
without  hesitation  exposed  their  ships  to  destruction  to 
destroy  the  enemy. 

Our  iron-clads,  from  their  slow  speed  and  bad  steering, 
had  some  difficulty  in  getting  into  and  maintaining  their 
position  in  line  as  we  passed  the  fort,  and,  in  the  sub- 
sequent encounter  with  the  Tennessee,  from  the  same 
causes  were  not  as  effective  as  could  have  been  desired ; 
but  I  cannot  give  too  much  praise  to  Lieutenant-Com- 
mander Perkins,  who,  though  he  had  orders  from  the 
department  to  return  north,  volunteered  to  take  com- 
mand of  the  Chickasaw,  and  did  his  duty  nobly. 

The  Winnebago  was  commanded  by  Commander  T.  H. 
Stevens,  who  volunteered  for  that  position.  His  vessel 
steers  very  badly,  and  neither  of  his  turrets  will  work, 
which  compelled  him  to  turn  his  vessel  every  time  to  get 
a  shot,  so  that  he  could  not  fire  very  often,  but  he  did  the 
best  he  could  under  the  circumstances. 

The  Manhattan  appeared  to  work  well,  though  she 
moved  slowly.  Commander  Nicholson  delivered  his  fire 
deliberately,  and,  as  before  stated,  with  one  of  his  fifteen- 
inch  shot  broke  through  the  armor  of  the  Tennessee, 
with  its  wooden  backing,  though  the  shot  itself  did  not 
enter  the  vessel.  No  other  shot  broke  through  the  armor, 


APPENDIX.  67 

though  many  of  her  plates  were  started,  and  several  of 
her  port-shutters  jammed  by  the  fire  from  the  different 
ships. 

The  Hartford,  my  flag-ship,  was  commanded  by  Cap- 
tain Percival  Drayton,  who  exhibited  throughout  that 
coolness  and  ability  for  which  he  has  been  long  known  to 
his  brother  officers.  But  I  must  speak  of  that  officer  in 
a  double  capacity.  He  is  the  fleet-captain  of  my  squad- 
ron, and  one  of  more  determined  energy,  untiring  devo- 
tion to  duty,  and  zeal  for  the  service,  tempered  by  great 
calmness,  I  do  not  think  adorns  any  navy.  I  desire  to 
call  your  attention  to  this  officer,  though  well  aware  that 
in  thus  speaking  of  his  high  qualities,  I  am  only  commu- 
nicating officially  to  the  department  that  which  it  knew 
full  well  before.  To  him,  and  to  my  staff  in  their  re- 
spective positions,  I  am  indebted  for  the  detail  of  my 
fleet. 

Lieutenant  J.  Crittenden  Watson,  my  flag-lieutenant, 
has  been  brought  to  your  notice  in  former  despatches. 
During  the  action  he  was  on  the  poop  attending  to  the 
signals,  and  performed  his  duties,  as  might  be  expected, 
thoroughly.  He  is  a  scion  worthy  the  noble  stock  he 
sprang  from,  and  I  commend  him  to  your  attention. 

My  secretary,  Mr.  McKinley,  and  Acting  Ensign  H.  H. 
Brownell,  were  also  on  the  poop,  the  latter  taking  notes 
of  the  action,  a  duty  which  he  performed  with  coolness 
and  accuracy. 

Two  other  acting  ensigns  of  my  staff,  Mr.  Bogart  and 
Mr.  Heginbotham,  were  on  duty  in  the  powder  division, 
and,  as  the  reports  will  show,  exhibited  zeal  and  ability. 
The  latter,  I  regret  to  add,  was  severely  wounded  by  a 
raking  shot  from  the  Tennessee  when  we  collided  with 


68  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

that  vessel,  and  died  a  few  hours  after.  Mr.  Hegiiibotham 
was  a  young  married  man,  and  has  left  a  widow  and  one 
child,  whom  I  commend  to  the  kindness  of  the  de- 
partment. 

Lieutenant  A.  R.  Yates,  of  the  Augusta,  acted  as  an 
additional  aid  to  me  on  board  the  Hartford,  and  was  very 
efficient  in  the  transmission  of  orders.  I  have  given 
him  the  command  temporarily  of  the  captured  steamer 
Selma. 

The  last  of  my  staff,  and  to  whom  I  would  call  the 
attention  of  the  department,  is  not  the  least  in  impor- 
tance. I  mean  Pilot  Martin  Freeman.  He  has  been  my 
great  reliance  in  all  difficulties  in  his  line  of  duty.  Dur- 
ing the  action  he  was  in  the  main-top,  piloting  the  ships 
into  the  bay.  He  was  cool  and  brave  throughout,  never 
losing  his  self-possession.  This  man  was  captured  early 
in  the  war  in  a  fine  fishing-smack  which  he  owned,  and 
though  he  protested  that  he  had  no  interest  in  the  war, 
and  only  asked  for  the  privilege  of  fishing  for  the  fleet, 
yet  his  services  were  too  valuable  to  the  captors  as  a  pilot 
not  to  be  secured.  He  was  appointed  a  first-class  pilot, 
and  has  served  us  with  zeal  and  fidelity,  and  lias  lost  his 
vessel,  which  went  to  pieces  on  Ship  Island.  I  commend 
him  to  the  department. 

It  gives  me  pleasure  to  refer  to  several  officers  who 
volunteered  to  take  any  situation  where  they  might  be 
useful,  some  of  whom  were  on  their  way  north,  either 
by  orders  of  the  department  or  condemned  by  medical 
survey.  The  reports  of  the  different  commanders  will 
show  how  they  conducted  themselves.  I  have  already 
mentioned  Lieutenant-Commander  Perkins,  of  the  Chick- 
asaw,  and  Lieutenant  Yates,  of  the  Augusta.  Acting 


APPENDIX.  69 

Volunteer  Lieutenant  William  Hamilton,  late  command- 
ing officer  of  the  Augusta  Dinsmore,  had  been  invalided 
by  medical  survey,  but  he  eagerly  offered  his  services  on 
board  the  iron-clad  Chickasaw,  having  had  much  experi- 
ence in  our  monitors.  Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant  P. 
Giraud,  another  experienced  officer  in  iron-clads,  asked  to 
go  in  on  one  of  these  vessels,  but  as  they  were  all  well 
supplied  with  officers,  I  permitted  him  to  go  in  on  the 
Ossipee,  under  Commander  Le  Roy.  After  the  action  he 
was  given  temporary  charge  of  the  ram  Tennessee. 

Before  closing  this  report,  there  is  one  other  officer  of 
my  squadron  of  whom  I  feel  bound  to  speak,  —  Captain 
T.  A.  Jenkins,  of  the  Richmond,  who  was  formerly  my 
chief  of  staff,  not  because  of  his  having  held  that  po- 
sition, but  because  he  never  forgets  to  do  his  duty  to  the 
government,  and  takes  now  the  same  interest  in  the  fleet 
as  when  he  stood  in  that  relation  to  me.  He  is  also  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  second  division  of  my  squad- 
ron, and,  as  such,  has  shown  ability  and  the  most  untiring 
zeal.  He  carries  out  the  spirit  of  one  of  Lord  Colling- 
wood's  best  sajdngs:  "Not  to  be  afraid  of  doing  too 
much ;  those  who  are,  seldom  do  as  much  as  they  ought." 
When  in  Pensacola,  he  spent  days  on  the  bar,  placing  the 
buoys  in  the  best  position,  was  always  looking  after  the 
interests  of  the  service,  and  keeping  the  vessels  from 
being  detained  one  moment  longer  in  port  than  was  ne- 
cessary. The  gallant  Craven  told  me,  only  the  night 
before  the  action  in  which  he  lost  his  life :  "  I  regret, 
admiral,  that  I  have  detained  you ;  but  had  it  not  been 
for  Captain  Jenkins,  God  knows  when  I  should  have  been 
here.  When  your  order  came,  I  had  not  received  an 
ounce  of  coal." 


70  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

I  feel  I  should  not  be  doing  my  duty  did  I  not  call  the 
attention  of  the  department  to  an  officer  who  has  per- 
formed all  his  various  duties  with  so  much  zeal  and 
fidelity. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

D.  G.  FARRAGUT, 

Commanding  W.  Cr.  Blockading  Squadron. 

HON.  GIDEON  WELLES, 

Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


APPENDIX.  71 


THE  NAVAL  FIGHT  IN  MOBILE   BAY. 

AUGUST  5,  1864. 


Official  Report  of  Admiral  Buchanan. 

UNITED  STATES  NAVAL  HOSPITAL,  PENSACOLA. 
August  26,  1864. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  the  enemy's 
fleet,  under  Admiral  Farragut,  consisting  of  fourteen 
steamers  and  four  monitors,  passed  Fort  Morgan  on  the 
5th  instant,  about  6.30  A.  M.,  in  the  following  order,  and 
stood  into  Mobile  Bay :  —  The  four  monitors.  Tecumseh 
and  Manhattan,  each  carrying  two  fifteen-inch  guns,  the 
Winuebago  and  Chickasaw,  each  carrying  four  eleven- 
inch  guns,  in  a  single  line  ahead,  about  half  a  mile  from 
the  fort.  The  fourteen  steamers,  —  Brooklyn,  of  twenty- 
six  ;  Octorora,  ten ;  Hartford,  twenty-eight ;  Metacomet, 
ten ;  Richmond,  twenty-four ;  Port  Royal,  eight ;  Lack- 
awanna,  fourteen ;  Seminole,  nine  ;  Monongahela,  twelve ; 
Keunebec,  five ;  Ossipee,  thirteen ;  Itasca,  four ;  Oneida, 
ten;  and  Galena,  fourteen  guns,  —  in  a  double  line  ahead, 
each  two  lashed  together,  the  side-wheel  steamers  off 
shore,  all  about  one-quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  monitors,  — 
carrying  in  all  one  hundred  and  ninety-nine  guns  and 
twenty-seven  hundred  men.  When  they  were  discovered 
standing  into  the  channel,  signal  was  made  to  the  Mobile 


72  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

squadron,  under  my  command,  consisting  of  the  wooden 
gunboats  Morgan  and  Gaines,  each  carrying  six  guns,  and 
Selma,  four,  to  "follow  my  motions"  in  the  ram  Ten- 
nessee, of  six  guns,  —  in  all  twenty-two  guns,  and  four 
hundred  and  seventy  men.  All  were  soon  under  way, 
and  stood  towards  the  enemy  in  a  line  abreast.  As  the 
Tennessee  approached  the  fleet,  when  opposite  the  fort, 
we  opened  our  battery  at  short  range  upon  the  leading 
ship,  the  admiral's  flag-ship  Hartford,  and  made  the  at- 
tempt to  run  into  her,  but,  owing  to  her  superior  speed, 
our  attempt  was  frustrated.  We  then  stood  towards  the 
next  heavy  ship,  the  Brooklyn,  with  the  same  view ;  she 
also  avoided  us  by  her  superior  speed.  During  this  time 
the  gunboats  were  also  closely  engaged  with  the  enemy. 
All  our  guns  were  used  to  the  greatest  alvantage,  and 
we  succeeded  in  seriously  damaging  many  of  the  enemy's 
vessels. 

The  Selma  and  Gaines,  under  Lieutenant-Commandants 
P.  U.  Murphy  and  J.  W.  Bennett,  fought  gallantly,  and 
I  was  gratified  to  hear  from  officers  of  the  enemy's  fleet 
that  their  fire  was  very  destructive.  The  Gaines  was 
fought  until  she  was  found  to  be  in  a  sinking  condition, 
when  she  was  run  on  shore  near  Fort  Morgan. 

Lieutenant-Commandant  Murphy  was  closely  engaged 
with  the  Metacomet,  assisted  by  the  Morgan,  Commander 
G.  W.  Harrison,  who  during  the  conflict  deserted  him, 
when,  upon  the  approach  of  another  large  steamer,  the 
Selma  surrendered.  I  refer  you  to  the  report  of  Lieu- 
tenant-Commandant Murphy  for  the  particulars  of  his 
action ;  he  lost  two  promising  young  officers,  Lieutenant 
Comstock  and  Master's  Mate  Murray,  and  a  number 
of  his  men  were  killed  and  wounded,  and  he  was  also 


APPENDIX.  73 

wounded  severely  in  the  wrist.*  Commander  Harrison 
will  no  doubt  report  to  the  department  his  reason  for 
leaving  the  Selma  in  that  contest  with  the  enemy,  as  the 
Morgan  was  uninjured ;  his  conduct  is  severely  com- 
mented on  by  the  officers  of  the  enemy's  fleet,  much  to 
the  injury  of  that  officer  and  the  navy.  Soon  after  the 
gunboats  were  dispersed  by  the  overwhelming  superiority 
of  force,  and  the  enemy's  fleet  had  anchored  about  four 
miles  above  Fort  Morgan,  we  stood  for  them  again,  in  the 
Tennessee,  and  renewed  the  attack,  with  the  hope  of 
sinking  some  of  them  with  our  prow ;  again  we  were 
foiled  by  their  superior  speed  in  avoiding  us.  The  en- 
gagement with  the  whole  fleet  soon  became  general  at 
very  close  quarters,  and  lasted  about  an  hour ;  and,  not- 
withstanding the  serious  injury  inflicted  upon  many  of 
their  vessels  by  our  guns,  we  could  not  sink  them.  Fre- 
quently during  the  contest  we  were  surrounded  by  the 
enemy,  and  all  our  guns  were  in  action  almost  at  the 
same  moment. 

Four  of  the  heaviest  vessels  ran  into  us  under  full 
steam,  with  the  view  of  sinking  us.  One  vessel,  the  Mo- 
nongahela,  had  been  prepared  as  a  ram,  and  was  very  for- 
midable ;  she  struck  us  with  great  force,  injuring  us  but 
little  ;  her  prow  and  stem  were  knocked  off,  and  the  ves- 
sel was  so  much  injured  as  to  make  it  necessary  to  dock 
her.  Several  of  the  other  vessels  of  the  fleet  were  found 
to  require  extensive  repairs.  I  enclose  you  a  copy  of  a 
drawing  of  the  Brooklyn,  made  by  one  of  her  officers 
after  the  action,  and  an  officer  of  the  Hartford  informed 
me  that  she  was  more  seriously  injured  than  the  Brooklyn. 

*  A  Court  of  Inquiry  exonerated  Commander  Harrison  from  blame  in 
this  affair.  F.  A.  P. 


74  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

I  mention  these  facts  to  prove  that  the  guns  of  the  Ten- 
nessee were  not  idle  during  this  unequal  contest.  For 
other  details  of  the  action,  and  injuries  sustained  by  the 
Tennessee,  I  refer  you  to  the  report  of  Commander  J.  D. 
Johnston,  which  has  my  approval.  After  I  was  carried 
below,  unfortunately  wounded,  I  had  to  be  governed  by 
the  reports  of  that  valuable  officer  as  to  the  condition  of 
the  ship,  and  the  necessity  and  time  of  her  surrender ;  and 
when  he  represented  to  me  her  utterly  hopeless  condition 
to  continue  the  fight  with  injury  to  the  enemy,  and  sug- 
gested her  surrender,  I  directed  him  to  do  the  best  he 
could,  and  when  he  could  no  longer  damage  the  enemy, 
to  do  so. 

It  affords  me  much  pleasure  to  state  that  the  officers 
and  men  cheerfully  fought  their  guns  to  the  best  of  their 
abilities,  and  gave  strong  evidence,  by  their  promptness 
in  executing  orders,  of  their  willingness  to  continue  the 
contest  as  long  as  they  could  stand  to  their  guns,  not- 
withstanding the  fatigue  they  had  undergone  for  several 
hours ;  and  it  was  only  because  the  circumstances  were  as 
represented  by  Captain  Johnston,  that  she  was  surren- 
dered to  the  fleet  about  ten  A.  M.,  painful  as  it  was  to  do 
so.  I  seriously  felt  the  want  of  experienced  officers  dur- 
ing the  action  ;  all  were  young  and  inexperienced,  and 
many  had  but  little  familiarity  with  naval  duties,  having 
been  appointed  from  civil  life  within  the  year. 

The  reports  of  Commander  Harrison,  of  the  Morgan, 
and  Lieutenant-Commandant  Bennett,  of  the  Gaines,  you 
have,  no  doubt,  received  from  these  officers.  I  enclose 
the  report  of  Fleet-Surgeon  D.  B.  Conrad,  to  whom  I  am 
much  indebted  for  his  skill,  promptness,  and  attention  to 
the  wounded.  By  permission  of  Admiral  Farragut,  he 


APPENDIX.  75 

accompanied  the  wounded  of  the  Tennessee  and  Selma  to 
this  hospital,  and  is  assisted  by  Assistant-Surgeons  Booth 
and  Bowles  of  the  Selma  and  Tennessee,  all  under  the 
charge  of  Fleet-Surgeon  Palmer,  of  the  United  States 
navy,  from  whom  we  have  received  all  the  attention  and 
consideration  we  could  desire  or  expect. 

The  crews,  and  many  officers  of  the  Tennessee  and 
Selma,  have  been  sent  to  New  Orleans.  Commander  J. 
D.  Johnston,  Lieutenant-Commandant  P.  U.  Murphy, 
Lieutenants  W.  L.  Bradford  and  A.  D.  Wharton,  Second 
Assistant  Engineer  J.  C.  O'Connell,  and  myself,  are  to  be 
sent  north.  Master's  Mates,  W.  S.  Forrest  and  R.  M. 
Carter,  who  are  with  me  acting  as  my  aids,  not  having 
any  midshipmen,  are  permitted  to  accompany  me.  They 
are  valuable  young  officers,  zealous  in  their  duties,  and 
both  have  served  in  the  army,  where  they  received  honor- 
able wounds ;  their  services  are  important  to  me.  I  am 
happy  to  inform  you  that  my  wound  is  improving,  and  I 
sincerely  hope  our  exchange  will  be  effected,  and  that  I 
will  soon  again  be  on  duty. 

Enclosed  is  a  list  of  the  officers  of  the  Tennessee  who 
were  in  the  action. 

September  11th.  Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  seen 
the  report  of  Admiral  Farragut,  a  portion  of  which  is 
incorrect.  Captain  Johnston  did  not  deliver  my  sword 
on  board  the  Hartford.  After  the  surrender  of  the  Ten- 
nessee, Captain  Giraud,  the  officer  who  was  sent  on  board 
to  take  charge  of  her,  said  to  me  that  he  was  directed  by 
Admiral  Farragut  to  ask  for  my  sword,  which  was  brought 
from  the  cabin  and  delivered  to  him  by  one  of  my  aids. 

ADMIRAL    F.  BUCHANAN,  commanding. 


76  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 


EXTRACT 

FROM    A    LETTER    OF    COMMANDER    J.   D.    JOHNSTON    TO 
THE  EDITOR  OF  THE  "PLANTATION,"  AUGUST  6,  1871. 

"  The  steering  apparatus  of  the  ship  was  defective  from 
the  first,  and  it  seemed  almost  impracticable  to  protect  it 
against  the  inevitable  destruction  which  awaited  it  in 
such  an  engagement.  The  enemy  having  discovered, 
when  running  into  the  ship,  that  the  chains  leading  to  the 
rudder-head  were  exposed  on  the  after-deck,  turned  his 
attention  especially  to  their  destruction,  which  was  of 
course  easily  effected  at  such  close  quarters.  At  about 
the  same  time,  the  smoke-pipe,  which  had  been  riddled 
by  shot,  was  broken  close  off  to  the  top  of  the  shield,  or 
upper  deck,  by  the  concussion  produced  by  the  ramming 
process  adopted  by  the  heavy  vessels  of  the  enemy,  and 
the  smoke  and  heat  issuing  from  the  broken  pipe  came 
down  upon  the  men  at  the  guns  with  almost  insupportable 
effect. 

"The  ports  of  the  ship  were  covered  when  the  guns 
were  run  in  for  loading,  by  heavy  iron  covers,  which  re- 
volved on  pivots;  but  it  unfortunately  happened  that 
those  of  the  bow  and  stern  ports  were  so  jammed  against 
the  side  of  the  shield  by  the  enemy's  shot,  that  it  became 
impossible  to  move  them,  and  it  was  while  superintending 
a  mechanic  who  was  endeavoring  to  back  out  one  of  these 
pivot  bolts,  so  as  to  bring  the  stern  gun  into  action  again, 


APPENDIX.  77 

that  Admiral  Buchanan  received  a  wound  in  his  leg, 
which  disabled  him  completely.  The  poor  machinist  was 
crushed  by  the  same  shot  so  that  his  remains  had  the  ap- 
pearance of  sausage  meat,  and  one  of  the  gun's  crew  was 
also  killed  by  an  iron  splinter.  After  the  wheel  chains 
leading  to  the  rudder-head  were  destroyed,  the  '  relieving 
tackles '  were  used  to  steer  the  ship,  but  she  was  not  long 
permitted  to  avail  herself  of  this  expedient,  a  shot  having 
taken  away  blocks  and  tackle  both,  only  a  few  moments 
after  they  were  resorted  to." 


REPORT. 

CASUALTIES   IN  THE   UNION  FLEET,  IN   THE   ATTACK   ON 
THE   DEFENCES    OF   MOBILE    HARBOR. 

Report  of  Rear-Admiral  D.  Gr.  Farragut. 

FLAG-SHIP  HARTFORD,  MOBILE  BAT,  ) 
August  8,  18G4.  J 

SIR  :  In  my  despatch,  number  three  hundred  and 
thirty-five,  written  on  the  evening  of  the  engagement  of 
the  5th  instant,  the  casualties  then  reported  were  forty- 
one  killed,  and  eighty-eight  wounded. 

More  detailed  reports,  since  received,  make  the  casual- 
ties fifty-two  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  seventy 
wounded,  namely: 

Killed.  Wounded. 

Hartford,        ...         25         ..         28 
Brooklyn,       ...         11         ..         43 


78 

Killed.  Wounded. 

Lackawanna, 

Oneida,          ...  8  .         . 

Monongahela,        .  0  .         . 

Metacomet,    ...  • 

Ossipee,          ...  • 

Richmond,     .  0  2  slightly. 

Galena,  ....  0  .         . 

Octorora,        ...  1  .        . 

Kennebec,      ...  1  .         . 

I  forward  herewith  the  reports  of  the  surgeons  of  these 
vessels,  giving  the  names  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  and 
the  character  of  the  wounds. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

D.  G.  FARRAGUT, 
Rear-Admiral,  commanding  W.  €r.  B.  Squadron. 

HON.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington. 


KILLED    AND    WOUNDED    OF    CONFEDERATE    FLEET,    IN 
ACTION   OF  AUGUST  6,  1864,   MOBILE   BAY. 

"  TENNESSEE,"  FLAG-SHIP. 

Killed.  —  John  Silk,  first-class  fireman ;  William  Moors, 
seaman.  —  2. 

Wounded.  —  Admiral  F.  Buchanan,  fracture  right  leg; 
A.  T.  Post,  pilot,  slightly  in  head  ;  J.  C.  O'Connell,  second 
assistant  engineer,  slightly  in  leg  and  shoulder;  Wil- 


APPENDIX.  79 

liam  Rogers,  second  assistant  engineer,  slightly  in  head 
and  shoulder ;  James  Kelly,  B.  M.,  slightly  in  knee ; 
And.  Rasmison,  Q.  M.,  slightly  in  head ;  William  Daly, 
seaman,  in  head ;  Robert  Barry,  marine,  gunshot  wound 
of  ear  and  head ;  James  McKunri,  marine,  contusion  of 
shoulder.  —  9. 


"  SELMA."     P.  U.  MURPHY,  Lieutenant  commanding. 

Killed.  —  J.  H.  Comstock,  lieutenant,  and  executive 
officer ;  J.  R.  Murray,  acting  master's  mate ;  William 
Hall,  gunner's  mate ;  James  Rooney,  seaman ;  James 
Montgomery,  seaman  ;  Bernard  Riley,  ordinary  seaman ; 
J.  R.  Frisly,  landsman ;  Christopher  Shepard,  lands- 
man. —  8. 

Wounded.  —  P.  U.  Murphy,  lieutenant,  commanding, 
slightly  in  wrist ;  John  Villa,  seaman,  badly,  leg  and 
arm ;  Henry  Fratee,  landsman,  badly  in  hand ;  Daniel 
Linnehan,  seaman,  slightly  in  arm ;  John  Shick,  seaman, 
slightly  in  face ;  John  Davis,  fireman,  slightly ;  John 
Gilliland,  seaman,  slightly.  —  7. 

Total  —  killed,  10  ;  wounded,  16. 

D.  B.   CONRAD, 

Fleet  Surgeon,  C.  S.  N. 


OFFICERS  OF  THE   CONFEDERATE  RAM   "TENNESSEE." 

Admiral,  F.  Buchanan,  Commander-in- Chief. 
Commander,  J.  D.  Johnston. 

First  Lieutenant,  Win.  L.  Bradford,  (executive  officer.) 
Lieutenants,  A.  D.  Wharton,  E.  J.  McDermett. 


80  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

Masters,  H.  W.  Perrin,  J.  Demaley. 

Master's  Mates,  M.  J.  Beebe,  R.  M.  Carter,  and  W.  S. 
Forrest. 

Boatswain,  John  McCraclie. 

Gunner,  H.  S.  Smith. 

First  Lieutenant  Marines,  D.  G.  Raney. 

First  Assistant  Engineer,  G.  D.  Lening. 

Second  Assistant  Engineers,  J.  C.  O'Connell,  and  John 
Hays. 

Third  Assistant  Engineers,  William  Rogers,  Oscar  lieu- 
son,  and  William  Patterson. 

Fleet-Surgeon,  D.  B.  Conrad. 

Assistant-Surgeon,  R.  C.  Bowles. 


OFFICERS  OF  THE  UNION  SHIPS  WHICH  PASSED  THE 
FORTS,  AND  WERE  ENGAGED  WITH  THE  CONFED- 
ERATE RAM  AND  GUNBOATS. 

"HARTFORD." 

Rear-Admiral,  David  Glasgow  Farragut,  Commandcr- 
in-  Chief. 

Fleet  Captain,  Percival  Drayton. 

Lieutenant-Commander,  Lewis  A.  Kimberly,  (executive 
officer.) 

Lieutenants,  J.  Crittenden  Watson,  A.  R.  Yates,  Her- 
bert B.  Tyson,  and  La  Rue  P.  Adams. 

Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant,  George  Muudy. 

Acting  Ensigns,  G.  D.  B.  Glidden,  William  II.  Whiting, 
H.  H.  Brownell,  H.  H.  Heginbotham,  Robert  D.  Bogart, 
and  William  L.  Dana. 


APPENDIX.  81 

Acting  Master's  Mates,  Richard  P.  Herrick,  George  B. 
Avery,  William  H.  Hathorne,  William  H.  Childs,  and 
Joseph  J.  Finelli. 

Captain  Marines,  Charles  Heywood. 

Rear-Admiral's  Secretary,  Alexander  McKinley. 

Fleet  Engineer,  William  H.  Shock. 

Chief  Engineer,  Thomas  Williamson. 

First  Assistant  Engineer,  Edward  B.  Latch. 

Second  Assistant  Engineers,  John  Wilson,  Isaac  De 
Graff,  and  H.  L.  Pelkington. 

TJiird  Assistant  Engineer,  James  E.  Speights. 

Acting  Third  Assistant  Engineers,  William  McEwan,  T. 
Benton  Brown,  and  John  D.  Thompson. 

Fleet  Surgeon,  J.  C.  Palmer. 

Surgeon,  Philip  Lansdale. 

Assistant  Surgeons,  William  Commons,  and  F.  Wool- 
verton. 

Fleet  Paymaster,  Edward  T.  Dunn. 

Paymaster,  William  F.  Meredith. 


"  BROOKLYN." 

Captain,  James  Alden. 

Lieutenant- Commander,    Edward    P.   Lull,    (executive 
officer.) 

Lieutenants,  Thomas  L.  Swann,  and  Charles  F.  Blake. 

Ensigns,  Charles  H.  Pendleton,  and  C.  D.  Sigsbee. 

Acting  Ensigns,  John  Atter,  and  D.  R.  Cassel. 

Acting  Master's  Mates,  Frederick  C.  Duncan,  A.  L.  Ste- 
vens, and  William  H.  Cook. 

Chief  Engineer,  Mortimer  Kellogg. 
6 


82  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

Second  Assistant  Engineers,  John  D.  Toppin,  David 
Hardie,  Haviland  Barstow,  and  George  E.  Tower. 

Third  Assistant  Engineers,  F.  C.  Goodwin,  Joel  A.  Bui- 
lard,  and  William  H.  De  Hart. 

Acting  Third  Assistant  Engineer,  Henry  H.  Arthur. 

Surgeon,  George  Maulsby. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  H.  Smith. 

Paymaster,  Gilbert  E.  Thornton. 


"RICHMOND." 

Captain,  Thornton  A.  Jenkins. 

Lieutenant-Commander,  Edward  Terry,  (executive  of- 
ficer.) 

Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant,  Charles  J.  Gibbs. 

Acting  Master,  Prince  S.  Borden. 

Ensign,  Philip  H.  Cooper. 

Acting  Ensigns,  Lewis  Clark,  Colby  M.  Chester,  and 
Arthur  H.  Wright. 

Acting  Master's  Mates,  James  West,  Theodore  J.  Wer- 
ner, William  C.  Seymour,  and  Walter  A.  De  Witt. 

Second  Lieutenant  Marines,  C.  L.  Sherman. 

Chief  Engineer,  Jackson  McElmell. 

First  Assistant  Engineer,  Emory  J.  Brooks. 

Second  Assistant  Engineers,  Albert  J.  Kenyon,  Absalom 
Kirby,  John  D.  Ford,  and  Robert  Weir. 

Tliird  Assistant  Engineers,  William  H.  Crawford, 
Charles  W.  C.  Sartar,  James  W.  Patterson,  and  Thomas 
McElmell. 

Surgeon,  Lewis  J.  Williams. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  J.  McD.  Rice. 

Paymaster,  Edwin  Stewart. 


APPENDIX.  83 

"  LACKA  WANNA." 

Captain,  J.  B.  Marchand. 

Lieutenants,  Thomas  S.  Spencer,  (executive  officer,) 
S.  A.  McCarty. 

Acting  Masters,  Felix  McCurley,  and  John  H.  Allen. 

Ensigns,  G.  H.  Wadleigh,  and  Frank  Wildes. 

Acting  Ensign,  Clarence  Rathbone. 

Acting  Master's  Mates,  "William  J.  Lewis,  C.  H.  Foster, 
and  John  C.  Palmer. 

First  Assistant  Engineer,  James  W.  Whittaker. 

Second  Assistant  Engineers,  E.  J.  Whittaker,  and 
George  W.  Roche. 

Third  Assistant  Engineer,  Isaac  B.  Fort. 

Acting  Third  Assistant  Engineers,  David  F.  Hennessy, 
and  George  W.  Sullivan. 

Surgeon,  T.  W.  Leach. 

Acting  Assistant  Surgeon,  W.  T.  Hutchinson. 

Paymaster,  James  Fulton. 


"  MOXOXGAHELA." 

Commander,  James  H.  Strong. 

Lieutenants,  Roderick  Prentiss,  (executive  officer.)  O. 
A.  Batcheller. 

Acting  Ensigns,  D.  W.  Mullan,  James  H.  Rodgers, 
George  Gerard,  and  P.  E.  Harrington. 

Chief  Engineer,  George  E.  Kutz. 

Second  Assistant  Engineers,  Joseph  Trjlly,  J.  J.  Bissett, 
Edward  Cheeney,  and  Philip  J.  Sanger. 

Acting  Third  Assistant  Engineer,  Amos  C.  Wilcox. 

Surgeon,  David  Kindleberger. 

Acting  Assistant  Surgeon,  William  B.  Lewis. 

Assistant  Paymaster,  Forbes  Parker. 


84  THE  BATTLE  OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

"  OSSIPEE." 

Commander,  William  E.  Le  Roy. 

Lieutenants,  J.  A.  Howell,  (executive  officer,)  Richard 
S.  Chew. 

Acting  Masters,  C.  C.  Bunker,  and  C.  W.  Adams. 

Acting  Ensigns,  Charles  E.  Clark,  Henry  S.  Lambert, 
and  William  A.  Van  Vleck. 

Acting  Master's  Mates,  George  Pilling,  and  William 
Merrigood. 

Acting  Chief  Engineer,  James  M.  Adams. 

Second  Assistant  Engineer,  William  H.  Vanderbilt. 

Acting  Second  Assistant  Engineers,  Martin  H.  Gerry, 
James  R.  Webb,  George  W.  Kidder,  and  Alfred  Colin. 

Third  Assistant  Engineer,  John  Matthews. 

Acting  Third  Assistant  Engineer,  William  Collier. 

Surgeon,  B.  F.  Gibbs. 

Acting  Assistant  Surgeon,  John  K.  Bacon. 

Paymaster,  Edward  Foster. 


"  ONEIDA." 

Commander,  J.  R.  Madison  Mullany. 
Lieutenant,  Charles  L.  Htmtington,  (executive  officer.) 
Lieutenants,  Charles  S.  Cotton,  and  Edward  N.  Kellogg. 
Ensign,  Charles  V.  Gridley. 
Acting  Ensigns,  John  L.  Hall,  and  John  Sears. 
Acting  Master's  Mates,  Edward  Bird,  Daniel  Clark,  and 
John  Devereaux. 

Chief  Engineer,  William  H.  Hunt. 


APPENDIX.  85 

First  Assistant  Engineer,  Reuben  H.  Fitch. 
Acting  Third  Assistant  Engineers,  W.  E.  Deaver,  and 
Nicholas  Dillon. 

Surgeon,  John  Y.  Taylor. 

Acting  Paymaster,  George  R.  Martin. 


"  METACOMET." 

Lieutenant-Commander,  James  E.  Jouett. 

Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant,  Henry  J.  Sleeper,  (exec- 
utive officer.) 

Acting  Masters,  N.  M.  Dyer,  and  John  O.  Morse. 

Acting  Ensigns,  George  E.  Wing,  John  White,  and 
Henry  C.  Nields. 

Acting  Master's  Mates,  J.  K.  Goodwin,  and  Rufus  N. 
Miller. 

First  Assistant  Engineer,  James  Atkins. 

Second  Assistant  Engineer,  George  P.  Hunt. 

Third  Assistant  Engineers,  George  B.  Rodgers,  James 
H.  Nash,  and  D.  W.  King. 

Acting  Assistant  Surgeon,  E.  D.  Payne. 

Acting  Assistant  Paymaster,  H.  M.  Hamman. 


"  OCTORORA." 

Lieutenant-Commander,  Charles  H.  Greene. 
Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant,  William  D.  Urann,  (exec- 
utive officer.) 

Acting  Masters,  H.  S.  Young,  and  Henry  R.  Billings. 
Acting  Ensign,  George  H.  Dodge. 


86  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

Acting  Master's  Mates,  George  P.  Gifford,  and  George 
W.  Adams. 

Acting  First  Assistant  Engineers,  William  W.  Shipman, 
and  M.  N.  McEntee. 

Second  Assistant  Engineer,  Rozeau  B.  Plotts. 

Acting  Second  Assistant  Engineer,  Jarol  Huber. 

Acting  Third  Assistant  Engineers,  Joseph  Knight,  and 
Gustav  W.  Best. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Edward  R.  Dodge. 

Acting  Assistant  Paymaster,  Joseph  H.  Pynchon. 


"POET  ROYAL." 

Lieutenant- Commander,  Bancroft  Gherardi. 

Lieutenant- Commander,  Thomas  C.  Bo  wen,  (executive 
officer.) 

Acting  Masters,  Edward  Herrick,  and  Thomas  M. 
,  Gardner. 

Acting  Ensigns,  William  Hull,  and  Fortesque  S.  Hop- 
tins. 

Acting  Master's  Mates,  Eugene  V.  Tyson,  Henry  D. 
Baldwin,  William  A.  Prescott,  and  Samuel  S.  Bumpus. 

Acting  First  Assistant  Engineer,  Fletcher  A.  Wilson. 

Second  Assistant  Engineers,  Francis  B.  Allen,  and 
Henry  Snyder. 

Acting  Second  Assistant  Engineer,  John  B.  McGavern. 

Third  Assistant  Engineer,  W.  C.  F.  Reichenbuck. 

Acting  Assistant  Surgeon,  Edward  R.  Hutchins. 

Acting  Assistant  Paymaster,  Frank  K.  Moore. 


APPENDIX.  87 

"  SEMINOLE." 

Commander,  Edward  Donaldson. 

Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant,  John  A.  Johnston,  (execu- 
tive officer.) 

Acting  Master,  William  A.  Marine. 

Acting  Ensigns,  Francis  Kempton,  Walter  S.  Church, 
and  David  K.  Perkins. 

Acting  Master's  Mates,  C.  A.  Thorne,  and  Henry  Webb. 

Acting  First  Assistant  Engineers,  Claude  Babcock,  and 
Alvin  R.  Calden. 

Acting  Third  Assistant  Engineers,  William  Drinkwater, 
Patrick  I.  Hughes,  and  William  H.  Whiting. 

Surgeon,  John  I.  Gibson. 

Paymaster,  Levi  J.  Stockwell. 


"  KENNEBEC." 

Lieutenant- Commander,  William  P.  McCann. 

Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant,  Edward  Baker,  (execu- 
tive officer.) 

Acting  Ensigns,  John  J.  Butler,  Hosea  E.  Tinkham,  and 
Joseph  D.  Ellis. 

Second  Assistant  Engineers,  Lewis  W.  Robinson,  and 
John  S.  Pearce. 

Acting  Third  Assistant  Engineer,  James  Eccles. 

Acting  Assistant  Surgeon,  George  W.  Hatch. 

Acting  Assistant  Paymaster,  Edward  T.  Baker. 


88  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

"  ITASCA." 

Lieutenant- Commander,  George  Brown. 

Acting  Master,  Richard  Eustace,  (executive  officer.) 

Acting  Ensigns,  Charles  H.  Kurd,  James  Igo,  and  Ed- 
ward S.  Lowe. 

Acting  Master's  Mates,  L.  E.  Heath,  and  Marcus  Chap- 
man. 

Second  Assistant  Engineers,  John  Both  wick,  and  George 
C.  Irelan. 

Acting  Third  Assistant  Engineers,  Charles  A.  Laws,  and 
Alfred  Hoyt. 

Acting  Assistant  Surgeon,  Henry  Brockwood. 

Acting  Assistant  Paymaster,  Alfred  G.  Lathrop. 


"  GALENA." 

Lieutenant- Commander,  Clark  H.  Wells. 

Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant,  Charles  H.  Wilson,  (exec- 
utive officer.) 

Acting  Master,  D.  W.  C.  Kells. 

Acting  Ensigns,  Henry  Pease,  Jr.,  and  Sanford  S.  Miner. 

Acting  Master's  Mates,  Francis  Tuttle,  and  James  H. 
Delano. 

First  Assistant  Engineer,  William  G.  Buehler. 

Second  Assistant  Engineers,  Charles  H.  Greenleaf,  and 
John  A.  Scot. 

Acting  Third  Assistant  Engineers,  Patrick  Burns,  and 
William  Welcker. 

Acting  Assistant  Surgeon,  George  P.  Wright. 

Acting  Assistant  Paymaster,  Theodore  Kitchen. 


APPENDIX.  89 

"  TECUMSEH." 

Commander,  T.  Augustus  Craven. 

Lieutenant,  John  W.  Kelly,  (executive  officer.) 

Acting  Masters,  Charles  F.  Langley,  and  Gardner  Cot- 
trell. 

Acting  Ensigns,  John  P.  Lettic,  and  William  Titcomb. 

Chief  Engineer,  C.  Faron. 

Second  Assistant  Engineers,  F.  S.  Barlow,  and  Henry 
S.  Leonard. 

Acting  Second  Assistant  Engineer,  T.  Ustick. 

Acting  Third  Assistant  Engineers,  George  Relter,  and 
James  L.  Parsons. 

Acting  Assistant  Surgeon,  William  A.  Danker. 

Acting  Assistant  Paymaster,  George  Worke. 


"  MANHATTAN." 

Commander,  J.  W.  A.  Nicholson. 

Lieutenant,  E.  M.  Schoonmaker,  (executive  officer.) 

Acting  Master,  Robert  B.  Ely. 

Acting  Ensigns,  John  B.  Trott,  George  B.  Mott,  and 
Peter  France. 

Acting  Chief  Engineer,  C.  L.  Carty. 

Acting  First  Assistant  Engineer,  William  H.  Miller. 

Acting  Second  Assistant  Engineers,  James  B.  Farrand, 
and  Thomas  Finnic. 

Acting  Third  Assistant  Engineers,  Edward  Misset, 
Charles  F.  Stroud,  and  Harrie  Webster. 

Assistant  Surgeon,  John  H.  Austin. 

Acting  Assistant  Paymaster,  H.  G.  Thayer. 


90  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

"  WINNEBAGO." 

Commander,  Thomas  H.  Stevens. 

Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant,  William  F.  Shankland, 
(executive  officer.) 

Acting  Master,  Austrony  S.  Megathlin. 

Acting  Ensigns,  James  Whitworth,  Michael  Murphy, 
and  John  Morrisey. 

Acting  Master's  Mates,  Henry  C.  Atter,  John  L.  Hall, 
William  Edgar,  and  Charles  S.  Lyons. 

Acting  Chief  Engineer,  Simon  Shultice. 

First  Assistant  Engineer,  John  Purdy. 

Acting  First  Assistant  Engineers,  James  Munroe,  and 
John  Wilson. 

Acting  Second  Assistant  Engineers,  E.  L.  Morse,  and 
Philip  Allman. 

Acting  Third  Assistant  Engineers,  Robert  D.  Wright, 
James  W.  Quinn,  James  Morris,  and  Thomas  J.  Myers. 

Acting  Assistant  Surgeon,  Joseph  G.  Bell. 

Acting  Assistant  Paymaster,  Henry  Gerrard. 


"  CHICKASAW." 

Lieutenant-Commander,  George  H.  Perkins. 

Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant,  William  Hamilton,  (exec- 
utive officer.) 

Acting  Masters,  Ezekiel  D.  Percy,  and  E.  B.  Pike. 

Acting  Ensigns,  George  L.  Jorden,  and  J.  Louis  Harris. 

Acting  Master's  Mates,  Allen  A.  Mann,  M.  F.  Kershaw, 
M.  G.  Jones,  and  F.  A.  Case. 

Acting  Chief  Engineer,  William  Rodgers. 


APPENDIX.  91 

Acting  First  Assistant  Engineer,  Charles  Chadwick. 

Acting  Second  Assistant  Engineers,  Elisha  P.  Bartlett, 
James  J.  Maratta,  and  Thomas  H.  Nelson. 

Acting  Third  Assistant  Engineers,  Albert  H.  Goff,  Sarill 
Whitehead,  Alexander  H.  Wiggins,  Alfred  Wilkinson, 
Henry  Wentworth,  and  George  Harris. 

Acting  Assistant  Surgeon,  Garrett  D.  Buckner. 

Acting  Assistant  Paymaster,  Edmund  S.  Wheeler. 


ROLL    OF    HONOR. 


THE  following  Roll  of  Honor  is  taken  from  "  The  Rec- 
ord of  the  Medals  of  Honor  issued  to  the  Blue  Jackets 
and  Marines  of  the  Navy,  under  authority  of  the  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States,  for  Deeds  of  Gallantry  and 
Heroism  in  times  of  War  and  of  Peace." 

WILSON  BROWN, 

Landsman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Hart- 
ford," in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 
"  Was  stationed  at  the  shell-whip  on  the  berth  deck.  A 
man  was  killed  on  the  ladder  above  him,  and  thrown  with 
such  violence  against  Brown  as  to  knock  him  into  the 
hold,  where  he  lay  for  a  short  time  senseless ;  but  on 
recovering  he  immediately  returned  to  his  station,  though, 
besides  himself,  only  one  of  the  original  six  belonging 
there  had  escaped." 

THOMAS  FITZPATRICK, 

Coxswain  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Hart- 
ford," in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 
"  His  gun  was  disabled  by  the  bursting  of  a  shell,  which 
destroyed  much  of  the  material  and  killed  seven  men, 

92 


APPENDIX.  93 

besides  wounding  several  others,  and  among  them  himself. 
Notwithstanding  this,  he  had  the  killed  and  wounded 
quietly  removed ;  replaced  the  breeching,  side-tackle  and 
truck,  &c.  (which  had  been  cut  to  pieces) ;  got  a  crew, 
and  in  a  little  while  was  firing  the  gun  again  as  usual." 

MABTIN  FREEMAN, 

Pilot  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Hartford," 
in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 
"Was  the  great  reliance  of  the  commanding  officer  of 
the  '  Hartford,'  in  all  difficulties  in  his  line  of  duty. 
During  the  action  he  was  in  the  main-top,  piloting  the 
ships  into  the  bay.  Especially  commended  to  the  de- 
partment." 

JAMES  R.  GARKISON, 

Coal-heaver  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Hartford,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 
1864.  "  Had  one  of  his  great  toes  shot  off ;  but  without 
leaving  his  station  at  the  shell-whip,  bound  up  the  wouncl, 
and  remained  at  work  until  again  severely  wounded." 

JOHN  LAWSON, 

Landsman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Hart- 
ford," in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 
"  Was  one  of  the  six  men  stationed  at  the  shell-whip  on 
the  berth  deck.  A  shell  killed  or  wounded  the  whole 
number.  Lawson  was  wounded  in  the  leg,  and  thrown 
with  great  violence  against  the  side  of  the  ship ;  but  as 
soon  as  he  recovered  himself,  although  begged  to  go  be- 
low, he  refused,  and  went  back  to  the  shell-whip,  where 
he  remained  during  the  action." 


94  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

JOHN  MCFABLAND, 

Captain  of  forecastle  on  board  of  the  United  States 
steamer  "  Hartford,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay, 
August  5,  1864.  "  Was  at  the  wheel,  which  has  been  his 
station  in  all  of  the  previous  fights  of  this  ship.  As  on 
every  other  occasion,  he  displayed  the  utmost  coolness 
and  intelligence  throughout  the  action.  When  the 
'  Lackawanna '  ran  into  the  '  Hartford,'  and  for  a  mo- 
ment there  was  every  appearance  of  the  men  at  the  wheel 
being  crushed,  he  never  left  his  station,  nor  ceased  for  an 
instant  to  attend  strictly  to  his  duties.  This  evidence 
of  coolness  and  self-possession,  together  with  his  good 
conduct  in  the  other  battles  of  the  '  Hartford,'  entitles 
him  to  the  medal." 

CHARLES  MELVILLE, 

Ordinary  Seaman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Hartford,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 
1864.  "This  man  (a  loader  of  the  same  gun)  was 
severely  wounded  by  a  piece  of  the  shell.  He  was  taken 
below,  but  would  not  remain  there ;  and  although  scarcely 
able  to  stand,  performed  his  duty  until  the  end  of  the 
action." 

THOMAS  O'CONNELL, 

Coal-heaver  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Hartford,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 
1864.  "Although  on  the  sick-list,  and  quite  unwell,  he 
went  to  his  station  at  the  shell-whip,  where  he  remained 
until  his  right  hand  was  shot  away." 


APPENDIX.  95 

WILLIAM  PELHAM, 

Landsman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Hartford,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 
1864.  "  When  the  crew  of  the  gun  to  which  he  belonged 
was  entirely  broken  up,  owing  to  the  number  of  its  killed 
and  wounded,  he  assisted  in  removing  the  latter  below, 
and  then  immediately  returned,  and,  without  any  direc- 
tion to  do  so,  took  his  place  at  the  adjoining  gun,  where  a 
vacancy  existed,  and  continued  to  perform  his  duties 
there  most  faithfully  for  the  remainder  of  the  action." 

WILLIAM  A.  STANLEY, 

Shell-man  at  No.  8  gun  on  board  of  the  United  States 
steamer  "  Hartford,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay, 
August  5,  1864.  "  Was  severely  wounded,  but  refused  to 
go  below ;  and  continued  to  perform  his  duties,  until  at 
length  he  became  so  weak  from  loss  of  blood  as  to  be 
unable  to  stand." 


JOHN  BEOWN, 

Captain  of  forecastle  on  board  of  the  United  States 
steamer  "  Brooklyn,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay, 
August  5,  1864.  Very  conspicuous  for  bravery,  skill, 
coolness,  and  activity  at  his  gun. 

WILLIAM  BLAGEEN. 

Ship's  Cook  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"Brooklyn,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 


96  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

1864.  Conspicuous  for  bravery,  performing  his  duty  in 
the  powder  division,  at  a  point  where  the  ship  was  riddled 
very  much,  and  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  shell- 
whips,  which  were  twice  cleared  of  men  by  bursting 
shells. 

WILLIAM  H.  BROWN, 

Landsman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Brook- 
lyn," in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 
Conspicuous  for  bravery,  performing  his  duty  in  the  pow- 
der division  at  a  point  where  the  ship  was  riddled  very 
much,  and  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  shell-whips, 
which  were  twice  cleared  of  men  by  bursting  shells. 
Was  also  wounded. 

JOHN  COOPER, 

Coxswain  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Brook- 
lyn," in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 
Very  conspicuous  for  bravery,  skill,  coolness,  and  activity 
at  his  gun. 

J.  HENRY  DENIG, 

Sergeant  of  Marines  on  board  of  the  United  States 
steamer  "  Brooklyn,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay, 
August  5,  1864.  Conspicuous  good  conduct  at  his  gun. 

RICHARD  DENNIS, 

Boatsivairfs  Mate  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Brooklyn,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 
1864.  Displayed  much  courage,  bravery,  and  coolness  in 
operating  the  torpedo-catcher  and  assisting  in  working 
the  bow-chaser. 


APPENDIX.  97 

SAMUEL  W.  DAVIS, 

Ordinary  Seaman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Brooklyn,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 
1864.  Displayed  much  courage,  bravery,  and  coolness  in 
acting  as  a  lookout  for  torpedoes  and  other  obstructions. 

MICHAEL  HUDSON, 

Sergeant  of  Marines  on  board  of  the  United  States 
steamer  "  Brooklyn,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay, 
August  5,  1864.  Conspicuous  good  conduct  at  his  gun. 

WILLIAM  HALSTEAD, 

Coxswain  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Brook- 
lyn," in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 
Coolness,  bravery,  and  skill  in  the  working  of  his  gun. 
His  conduct  was  particularly  meritorious. 

JOSEPH  IKLAM, 

Seaman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Brook- 
lyn," in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 
Stationed  at  the  wheel ;  behaved  with  great  coolness  and 
bravery,  sending  the  other  two  men  who  were  stationed 
with  him  to  replace  men  disabled  at  the  guns. 

NICHOLAS  IRWIN, 

Seaman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Brook- 
lyn," in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 
Very  conspicuous  for  bravery,  skill,  coolness,  and  activity 
at  his  gun. 

7 


98  THE  BATTLE  OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

JOHN  IRVING, 

Coxswain  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Brook- 
lyn," in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 
Very  conspicuous  for  bravery,  skill,  coolness,  and  activity 
^at  his  gun. 

BURNETT  KENNA, 

Quartermaster  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Brooklyn,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 
1864.  Coolness,  bravery,  and  skill  in  the  working  of  his 
gun.  His  conduct  was  particularly  meritorious. 

ALEXANDER  MACK, 

Captain  of  Top  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Brooklyn,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 
1864.  Activity,  zeal,  and  skill  displayed  in  handling  his 
gun,  as  well  as  great  courage.  He  was  severely  wounded. 

WILLIAM  MADDEN, 

Coal-heaver  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Brooklyn,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 
1864.  Conspicuous  for  bravery,  performing  his  duty  in 
the  powder  division,  at  a  point  where  the  ship  was  riddled 
very  much,  and  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  shell- 
whips,  which  were  twice  cleared  of  men  by  bursting 
shells. 

JAMES  MACHON, 

Boy,  United  States  steamer  "  Brooklyn,"  in  the  engage- 
ment in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Conspicuous  for 
bravery,  performing  his  duty  in  the  powder  division,  at  a 
point  where  the  ship  was  riddled  very  much,  and  in  the 


APPENDIX.  99 

immediate  vicinity  of  the  shell-whips,  which  were  twice 
cleared  of  men  by  bursting  shells. 

JAMES  MIFFLIK, 

Landsman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Brook- 
lyn," in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 
Conspicuous  for  bravery,  performing  his  duty  in  the  pow- 
der division,  at  a  point  where  the  ship  was  riddled  very 
much,  and  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  shell-whips, 
which  were  twice  cleared  of  men  by  bursting  shells. 

WILLIAM  NICHOLS, 

Quartermaster  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Brooklyn,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 
1864.  Perfect  coolness  and  dexterity  in  handling  his 
gun ;  always  sure  of  his  aim  before  he  would  consent 
to  fire. 

MILES  M.  OVIATT, 

Corporal  of  Marines  on  board  of  the  United  States 
steamer  "  Brooklyn,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay, 
August  5,  1864.  Conspicuous  for  good  conduct  at  his 
gun. 

EDWARD  PRICE, 

Coxswain  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Brook- 
lyn," in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 1864. 
Great  coolness  and  bravery  under  fire.  His  gun  be- 
coming disabled  by  the  sponge  breaking,  leaving  the  head 
in  the  gun,  he  proceeded  to  clear  it  by  pouring  powder 
into  the  vent  and  blowing  the  sponge-head  out. 


100  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

WILLIAM  M.  SMITH, 

Corporal  of  Marines  on  board  of  the  United  States 
steamer  "  Brooklyn,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay, 
August  5,  1864.  Conspicuous  for  good  conduct  at  his 
gun. 

JAMES  E.  STERLING, 

Coal-heaver  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Brooklyn,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 
1864.  Bravery  in  remaining  at  his  post  when  wounded, 
and  passing  shell  until  struck  down  a  second  time,  and 
completely  disabled. 

SAMUEL  TODD, 

Quartermaster  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Brooklyn,"  in  the  engagement  in  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 
1864.  Conspicuous  coolness  at  the  commencement  and 
during  the  action. 


THOMAS  ATKINSON, 

Yeoman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Rich- 
mond," Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended  for 
coolness  and  energy  in  supplying  the  rifle  ammunition, 
which  was  under  his  sole  charge  in  the  action  in  Mobile 
Bay  on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of  August  5,  1864. 
He  was  a  petty  officer  on  board  of  the  United  States 
frigate  "  Congress  "  in  1842-46  ;  was  present  and  assisted 
in  capturing  the  whole  of  the  Buenos  Ayrean  fleet  by 
that  vessel,  off  Monte  Video ;  joined  the  "  Richmond  "  in 
September,  1860  ;  was  in  the  actions  with  Fort  McRea ; 


APPENDIX.  101 

the  head  of  the  passes  of  the  Mississippi ;  forts  Jackson 
and  St.  Philip ;  the  Chalmettes ;  the  rebel  iron-clads  and 
gunboats  below  New  Orleans  ;  Vicksburg ;  Port  Hudson ; 
and  at  the  surrender  of  New  Orleans. 

ROBERT  BROWN, 

* 
Captain  of  Top  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 

"  Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended 
for  coolness  and  good  conduct  in  the  action  in  Mobile 
Bay,  on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of  August  5,  1864. 
He  was  on  board  the  "  Westfield "  in  the  actions  with 
forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip ;  the  Chalmettes  ;  and  pres- 
ent at  the  surrender  of  New  Orleans  ;  also  with  the  bat- 
teries at  Vicksburg.  Joined  the  "Richmond"  in  Sep- 
tember, 1863. 

CORNELIUS  CRONIN, 

Chief  Quartermaster  on  board  of  the  United  States 
steamer  "Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 
Commended  for  coolness  and  close  attention  to  duty  in 
looking  out  for  signals,  and  steering  the  ship  in  the  action 
in  Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of  August  5, 
1864.  He  has  been  in  the  naval  service  eight  years. 
Joined  the  "  Brooklyn  "  in  December,  1861 ;  was  in  the 
actions  with  forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  and  with  the 
rebel  iron-clads  and  gunboats  below  New  Orleans ;  was  in 
the  action  with  the  Chalmette  batteries;  present  at  the 
surrender  of  New  Orleans,  and  in  the  attack  on  the  bat- 
teries below  Vicksburg,  in  1862.  Joined  the  "  Rich- 
mond" in  September,  1863. 


102  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

THOMAS  CEIPPS, 

Quartermaster  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended 
for  coolness  and  good  conduct  as  captain  of  a  gun  in  the 
action  in  Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of 
August  5,  1864.  He  was  in  the  "Brooklyn,"  in  the 
actions  with  forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip  ;  the  Chalmette 
batteries ;  batteries  below  Vicksburg  ;  and  present  at  the 
surrender  of  New  Orleans.  Joined  the  "  Richmond  "  in 
September,  1863. 

JAMES  B.  CHANDLER, 

Coxswain  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Rich- 
mond," Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 1864.  Commended  for  cool- 
ness and  good  conduct  in  the  action  in  Mobile  Bay,  on  the 
morning  and  forenoon  of  August  5,  1864.  He  deserves 
especial  notice  for  having  come  off  the  sick-list,  and  going 
to  and  remaining  at  his  quarters  during  the  entire  action. 
Joined  the  "Brooklyn"  in  November,  1861;  was  in  the 
actions  with  forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip;  the  Chal- 
mettes ;  batteries  below  Vicksburg ;  and  present  at  the 
surrender  of  New  Orleans.  Joined  the  "  Richmond  "  in 
September,  1863. 

WILLIAM  W.  CALL, 

Master  at  Arms  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended 
for  coolness,  energy,  and  zeal  in  the  action  of  Mobile 
Bay,  on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of  August  5,  1864. 
Volunteered  to  direct,  under  the  orders  of  the  commander 
of  the  division,  the  passing  of  shells  from  the  shell-rooms, 


APPENDIX.  103 

in  addition  to  his  duties  connected  with  the  care  of 
lights,  which  he  performed  most  satisfactorily.  Has  been 
Master  at  Arms  on  board  the  "  Richmond "  since  Sep- 
tember, 1860 ;  was  in  the  actions  with  Fort  McRea ;  at 
the  head  of  the  passes  of  the  Mississippi ;  forts  Jackson 
and  St.  Philip ;  the  Chalmettes ;  the  rebel  iron-clads  and 
gunboats  below  New  Orleans ;  Vicksburg ;  Port  Hudson ; 
and  present  at  the  surrender  of  New  Orleans. 

WILLIAM  DENSMOKE, 

Chief  Boatswain's  Mate  on  board  of  the  United  States 
steamer  "Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 
Commended  for  coolness  and  good  conduct  as  captain  of 
a  gun  in  the  action  in  Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  and 
forenoon  of  August  5,  1864.  He  has  been  in  the  naval 
service  twelve  years ;  was  on  board  the  ship  "  St.  Louis," 
blockading  off  Pensacola  and  the  head  of  the  passes  of 
the  Mississippi,  until  the  expiration  of  his  service  in  1861 ; 
reshipped  the  same  year,  and  joined  the  "  Brooklyn  "  ; 
was  in  the  actions  with  forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  and 
with  the  rebel  iron-clads  and  gunboats  below  New  Or- 
leans ;  was  in  the  action  with  the  Chalmette  batteries ; 
present  at  the  surrender  of  New  Orleans,  and  on  board 
the  "Brooklyn "in  the  attack  upon  the  batteries  below 
Vicksburg,  in  1862.  Joined  the  "  Richmond "  in  Sep- 
tember, 1863. 

ADAM  DUNG  A  N, 

Boatswain's  Mate  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended 
for  coolness  and  good  conduct  as  captain  of  a  gun  in  the 
action  in  Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of 


104  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

August  5,  1864.  He  has  been  six  years  in  the  naval  ser- 
vice; was  on  board  the  "Brooklyn  "  in  the  actions  with 
forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  and  with  the  rebel  iron- 
clads and  gunboats  below  New  Orleans;  was  in  the 
action  with  the  Chalmette  batteries ;  present  at  the  sur- 
render of  New  Orleans,  and  on  board  the  "  Brooklyn  "  in 
the  attack  upon  the  batteries  below  Vicksburg,  in  1862. 
Joined  the  "  Richmond  "  in  September,  1863. 

CHARLES  DEAKIN, 

Boatswain's  Mate  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended 
for  coolness  and  good  conduct  as  captain  of  a  gun  in  the 
action  in  Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of 
August  5,  1864.  He  deserves  special  notice  for  his  good 
example  and  zeal  in  going  to  and  remaining  at  his  quar- 
ters during  the  whole  action,  although  quite  sick.  He 
has  been  in  the  naval  service  six  years  ;  was  on  board  the 
"•  Brooklyn  "  in  the  actions  with  forts  Jackson  and  St. 
Philip,  and  with  the  rebel  iron-clads  and  gunboats  below 
New  Orleans ;  was  in  the  action  with  the  Chalmette  bat- 
teries ;  present  at  the  surrender  of  New  Orleans,  and  on 
board  the  "  Brooklyn  "  in  the  attack  upon  the  batteries 
below  Vicksburg,  in  1862.  Joined  the  "•  Riclunond  "  in 
September,  1863. 

WILLIAM  DOOLIN, 

Coal-heaver  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended 
for  coolness  and  good  conduct,  and  for  refusing  to  leave 
his  station  as  shot  and  shell  passer,  after  having  been 
knocked  down  and  badly  wounded  in  the  head  by  splin- 


APPENDIX.  105 

ters ;  and  upon  going  to  quarters  the  second  time,  he  was 
found  at  his  station,  nobly  doing  his  duty  in  the  action  in 
Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of  August  5, 
1864.  He  was  in  Fort  Pickens  when  it  was  bombarded 
by  the  rebels ;  was  on  board  the  "  Brooklyn "  in  the 
actions  with  forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip;  the  Chal- 
mettes ;  the  rebel  iron-clads  and  gunboats  below  New 
Orleans ;  the  batteries  below  Vicksburg ;  and  present  at 
the  surrender  of  New  Orleans. 

THOMAS  HAYES, 

Coxswain  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Rich- 
mond," Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended  for 
coolness  and  good  conduct  as  captain  of  No.  1  gun  in  the 
action  in  Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of 
August  5,  1864.  He  was  on  board  the  "  Brooklyn  "  in 
the  actions  with  forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  and  the 
iron-clads  and  gunboats  below  New  Orleans ;  with  the 
Chalmette  batteries;  batteries  below  Vicksburg;  and  was 
present  at  the  surrender  of  New  Orleans. 

HUGH  HAMILTON, 

Coxswain  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Rich- 
mond," Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended  for 
coolness  and  good  conduct  in  the  action  in  Mobile  Bay, 
on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of  August  5,  1864.  Was 
in  the  actions  with  forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip ;  the 
Chalmettes ;  the  rebel  iron-clads  and  gunboats  below 
New  Orleans ;  the  batteries  below  Vicksburg ;  present  at 
the  surrender  of  New  Orleans.  Joined  the  "  Richmond  " 
in  October,  1863. 


106  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

JAMES  MC!NTOSH, 

Captain  of  Top  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
•'  Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended 
for  coolness  and  good  conduct  in  the  action  in  Mobile 
Bay,  on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of  August  5,  1864. 
He  was  present  and  assisted  in  the  capture  of  the  bat- 
teries at  Hatteras  Inlet,  and  on  board  the  "  Cumberland  " 
when  she  was  sunk  by  the  "  Merrimac,"  at  Newport 
News.  Joined  the  "  Richmond  "  in  September,  1863. 

JOHN  H.  JAMES, 

Captain  of  Top  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 1864.  Commended 
for  coolness  and  good  conduct  as  captain  of  a  gun  in  the 
action  in  Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of 
August  5,  1864.  He  came  off  the  sick-list  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  action,  went  to  his  quarters,  and  fought 
his  gun  well  during  the  entire  action.  He  was  in  the 
actions  with  forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip  ;  the  rebel  iron- 
clads and  gunboats  below  New  Orleans ;  the  Chalmettes  ; 
the  batteries  below  Vicksburg ;  and  present  at  the  sur- 
render of  New  Orleans.  Joined  the  "  Richmond  "  Sep- 
tember, 1863. 

WILLIAM  JONES, 

Captain  of  Top  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 1864.  Commended 
for  coolness  and  good  conduct  as  captain  of  a  gun  in  the 
action  in  Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of 
the  5th  of  August,  1864.  Joined  the  "  Dacotah  "  in 
September,  1861,  and  was  on  board  the  "  Cumberland " 


APPENDIX.  107 

when  sunk  by  the  "  Merrimac  "  at  Newport  News.  Joined 
the  "  Richmond  "  in  September,  1863. 

JAMES  H.  MORGAN, 

Captain  of  Top  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"•  Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended 
for  coolness  and  good  conduct  as  captain  of  a  gun  in  the 
action  in  Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of 
August  5,  1864.  He  joined  the  "  Colorado "  in  May, 
1861 ;  volunteered  for  the  United  States  steamer  "  Mis- 
sissippi "  ;  was  in  the  action  with  forts  Jackson  and  St. 
Philip  ;  the  Chalmettes  ;  Vicksburg  ;  Port  Hudson  ;  and 
present  at  the  surrender  of  New  Orleans;  was  on  board 
the  "New  Ironsides,"  at  Charleston.  Joined  the  "Rich- 
mond" in  October,  1863. 

ANDREW  MILLER, 

Sergeant  of  Marines  on  board  of  the  United  States 
steamer  "  Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 
Commended  for  coolness  and  good  conduct  as  captain  of 
a  gun  in  the  action  in  Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  and 
forenoon  of  August  5,  1864.  Was  in  the  actions  with 
forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip ;  the  Chalmettes ;  the  rebel 
iron-clads  and  gunboats  below  New  Orleans ;  batteries 
below  Vicksburg ;  and  present  at  the  surrender  of  New 

Orleans. 

JAMES  MARTIN, 

Sergeant  of  Marines  on  board  of  the  United  States 
steamer  "Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 
Commended  for  coolness  and  good  conduct  as  captain  of 
a  gun  in  the  action  in  Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  and 
forenoon  of  August  5,  1864.  Was  in  the  actions  with 


108  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip ;  the  Chalmettes ;  the  rebel 
iron-clads  and  gunboats  below  New  Orleans ;  Vicksburg ; 
Port  Hudson ;  and  present  at  the  surrender  of  New  Or- 
leans, on  board  of  the  "  Richmond." 

GEORGE  PARKS, 

Captain  of  Forecastle  on  board  of  the  United  States 
steamer  u  Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5, 1864.  Com- 
mended for  coolness  and  good  conduct  in  the  action  in 
Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of  August  5, 
1864.  He  joined  the  "  Richmond  "  in  September,  1860  ; 
reshipped,  October,  1863 ;  was  in  the  actions  with  Fort 
McRea ;  with  the  rebel  vessels  at  the  head  of  the  passes 
of  the  Mississippi;  in  passing  forts  Jackson  and  St. 
Philip ;  the  Chalmettes ;  twice  before  Vicksburg  bat- 
teries ;  at  Port  Hudson ;  was  captain  of  a  gun  in  the 
naval  nine-inch  gun  battery  at  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson, 
and  present  at  the  surrender  of  New  Orleans. 

HENDRICK  SHARP, 

Seaman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "Rich- 
mond," Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended  for 
coolness  and  courage  as  captain  of  one  hundred-pounder 
rifle  gun  on  topgallant  forecastle  in  the  action  in  Mobile 
Bay,  on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of  August  5,  1864. 
He  fought  his  gun  when  under  the  hottest  fire  from  the 
enemy's  batteries,  at  short  range,  with  a  coolness  and 
effectiveness  that  won  not  only  the  admiration  of  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  division,  but  of  all  others  who 
had  an  opportunity  to  observe  him.  He  has  been  in  the 
naval  service  thirty-two  years;  joined  the  "Richmond" 
at  Norfolk  when  first  put  in  commission,  September  27, 


APPENDIX.  109 

1860.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service,  in  1863, 
reshipped  for  the  period  of  three  years.  He  was  in  action 
on  board  of  the  "  Richmond  "  with  the  rebels  at  the  head 
of  the  passes  of  the  Mississippi ;  at  the  bombardment  of 
Fort  McRea,  at  Pensacola,  which  lasted  an  entire  day, 
when  he  received  a  severe  splinter  wound  in  the  left 
hand  which  permanently  disabled  two  of  his  fingers  ;  and 
notwithstanding  the  severity  of  the  wound,  as  soon  as  it 
was  dressed  by  the  surgeon  he  returned  to  his  gun  with- 
out the  permission  of  the  surgeon,  and  persisted  in  re- 
maining at  his  quarters,  using  his  right  hand  until  the 
action  ceased.  He  was  in  the  actions  with  forts  Jackson 
and  St.  Philip,  and  with  the  rebel  iron-clads  and  gunboats 
below  New  Orleans ;  in  action  with  the  Chalmette  bat- 
teries; present  at  the  surrender  of  New  Orleans;  fought 
the  batteries  of  Vicksburg  twice ;  was  in  the  memorable 
attack  on  Port  Hudson,  on  the  14th  of  March,  1863  ;  was 
captain  of  a  nine-inch  gun  in  the  naval  nine-inch  gun 
battery,  commanded  by  Lieutenant-Commander  Edward 
Terry,  placed  in  the  rear  of  Port  Hudson  during  the 
siege.  He  was  also  captain  of  a  gun  in  the  naval  battery 
established  at  Baton  Rouge,  and  commanded  by  Lieu- 
tenant-Commander Edward  Terry,  after  the  repulse  of 
the  army  and  death  of  General  Williams  at  that  place. 

WALTER  B.  SMITH, 

Ordinary  Seaman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended 
for  coolness  and  good  conduct  at  the  one  hundred- 
pounder  rifle  gun  on  the  topgallant  forecastle,  and  for 
musket-firing  into  the  gunports  of  the  rebel  iron-clad 
"  Tennessee,"  in  the  action  in  Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morn- 


110  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

ing  and  forenoon  of  August  5,  1864.  He  was  on  board 
the  United  States  steamer  "Hatteras"  when  that  ves- 
sel was  sunk  by  the  Alabama,  commanded  by  Captain 
Semmes,  off  Galveston;  joined  the  "Richmond"  after 
having  been  exchanged,  September,  1863 ;  and  his  good 
conduct  on  board  of  that  ship  has  been  of  the  most  ex- 
emplary kind. 

LEBBEUS  SIMPKINS, 

Coxswain  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Rich- 
mond," Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended  for 
coolness  and  courage  in  the  action  in  Mobile  Bay,  on  the 
morning  and  forenoon  of  August  5,  1864.  He  joined 
the  "Brooklyn"  in  January,  1861;  was  in  the  actions 
with  forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  and  the  rebel  iron-clads 
and  gunboats  below  New  Orleans  ;  Chalmette  batteries ; 
batteries  below  Vicksburg ;  and  present  at  the  surrender 
of  New  Orleans.  Joined  the  "Richmond,"  October, 
1863. 

OLOFF  SMITH, 

Coxswain  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Rich- 
mond," Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended  for 
coolness  and  good  conduct  in  the  action  in  Mobile  Bay, 
on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of  August  5, 1864.  He  was 
on  board  the  "  Richmond "  in  the  actions  with  Fort 
McRea;  at  the  head  of  the  passes  of  the  Mississippi; 
with  forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip;  the  rebel  iron-clads 
and  gunboats  below  New  Orleans;  the  Chalmette  bat- 
teries; twice  with  the  batteries  of  Vicksburg  in  attempting 
to  pass ;  and  at  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson ;  and  present  at 
the  surrender  of  New  Orleans.  He  has  been  coxswain 


APPENDIX.  Ill 

on  board  the  "  Richmond "  for  twenty  consecutive 
months. 

JOHN  SMITH, 

Second  Captain  of  Top  on  board  of  the  United  States 
steamer  "  Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 
Commended  for  coolness  and  good  conduct  as  captain  of 
a  gun  in  the  action  in  Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  and 
forenoon  of  August  5,  1864.  He  was  on  board  the  "  Va- 
runa  "  when  she  was  sunk  by  the  rebel  vessels  after  hav- 
ing passed  forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip ;  was  transferred 
to  the  "  Brooklyn  "  ;  and  was  in  the  action  with  the  bat- 
teries below  Vicksburg.  Joined  the  "Richmond"  in 
September,  1863. 

JAMES  SMITH,  . 

Captain  of  Forecastle  on  board  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended 
for  coolness  and  good  conduct  as  captain  of  a  gun  in  the 
action  in  Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of 
August  5,  1864. 

DAVID  SPROWLE, 

Orderly  Sergeant  of  the  Marine  Guard  on  board  of  the 
United  States  steamer  "  Richmond,"  Mobile  Bay,  August 
5,  1864.  Commended  for  coolness,  and  for  setting  a  good 
example  to  the  marine  guard  working  a  division  of  great 
guns  in  the  action  of  Mobile  Bay,  on  the  morning  and 
forenoon  of  August  5,  1864.  Joined  the  "Richmond," 
September  27, 1860 ;  was  in  the  actions  with  Fort  McRea ; 
the  head  of  the  passes  of  the  Mississippi ;  forts  Jackson 
and  St.  Philip;  the  Chalmettes;  the  rebel  iron-dads  and 


112  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

gunboats  below  New  Orleans ;  Vicksburg ;  Port  Hudson  ; 
and  present  at  the  surrender  of  New  Orleans.  He  has 
been  in  the  service  twenty-eight  years. 

ALEXANDER  H.  TRUETT, 

Coxswain  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Rich- 
mond," Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864.  Commended  for 
coolness  and  good  conduct  in  the  action  in  Mobile  Bay, 
on  the  morning  and  forenoon  of  August  5,  18G4.  He 
was  in  the  actions  with  forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip ;  the 
Chalmette  batteries;  the  rebel  iron-clads  and  gunboats 
below  New  Orleans ;  the  batteries  below  Vicksburg  ;  and 
was  present  at  the  surrender  of  New  Orleans.  He  w;is 
present  at  and  assisted  in  the  capture  of  the  piratical 
steamers  "  Maramon  "  and  "  Marquis  de  la  Habana,"  in 
March,  1860,  near  Vera  Cruz. 


JOHN  M.  BURNS, 

Seaman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Lacka- 
wanna."  Severely  wounded  and  sent  below  under  the 
surgeon's  charge ;  would  not  remain  unemployed,  but 
assisted  the  powder  division  until  the  action  was  over. 

MICHAEL  CASSIDY, 

Landsman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Lacka- 
wanna."  First  sponger  of  a  gun.  Displayed  great  cool- 
ness and  exemplary  behavior,  eliciting  the  applause  of  his 
officers  and  the  gun's  crew. 


APPENDIX.  113 

Louis  G.  CHAPUT, 

Landsman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Lack- 
awanna."  Remained  at  his  gun  after  he  was  severely 
wounded  until  relieved  by  another  person ;  was  then 
taken  below,  and  after  reporting  to  the  surgeon  returned 
to  his  station  at  the  gun,  and  resumed  his  duties  until  the 
action  was  over,  and  was  then  carried  below. 

ADAM  MCCULLOCK, 

Seaman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Lacka- 
wanna."  Being  wounded,  would  not  leave  his  quarters, 
although  ordered  to  do  so,  but  remained  until  the  action 
was  over. 

PATRICK  DOUGHERTY, 

Landsman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Lack- 
awanna."  Took  the  place  of  the  powder-boy  at  his  gun 
without  orders,  when  the  powder-boy  was  disabled ;  kept 
up  a  supply,  and  showed  much  zeal  in  his  new  capacity. 

JOHN  EDWARDS, 

Captain  of  Top  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Lackawanna."  Second  captain  of  a  gun.  Although 
wounded,  would  not,  when  ordered,  go  below  to  the  sur- 
geon, but  took  the  place  of  the  first  captain  during  the 
remainder  of  the  action. 

SAMUEL  W.  KINNAIRD, 

Landsman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Lacka- 
wanna."    Set  an  example  to  the  crew  by  his  presence  of 
mind  and  cheerfulness,  that  had  a  beneficial  effect. 
8 


114  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

WILLIAM  PHINNEY, 

Boatswain's  Mate  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Lacka wanna."  As  captain  of  a  gun,  showed  much 
presence  of  mind  and  coolness  in  managing  it,  and  gave 
great  encouragement  to  the  crew. 

JOHN  SMITH, 

Captain  of  Forecastle  on  board  of  the  United  States 
steamer  "  Lackawanna."  Was  first  captain  of  a  gun, 
and  finding  that  he  could  not  sufficiently  depress  his  gun, 
when  alongside  of  the  rebel  iron-clad  "Tennessee," 
threw  a  hand  holy-stone  into  one  of  the  ports  at  a  rebel 
using  abusive  language  against  the  crew  of  the  ship. 

GEORGE  TAYLOR, 

Armorer  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Lacka- 
wanna"; although  wounded,  went  into  the  shell-room, 
and  with  his  hands  extinguished  the  fire  from  a  shell 
exploded  over  it  by  the  enemy. 

JAMES  WARD, 

Quarter  Crunner  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"Lackawanna."  Being  wounded,  and  ordered  below, 
would  not  go,  but  rendered  much  aid  at  one  of  the  guns 
when  the  crew  was  disabled,  and  subsequently  remained 
in  the  chains  heaving  the  lead  until  nearly  in  collision 
with  the  rebel  iron-clad  "Tennessee." 


APPENDIX.  115 

DANIEL  WHITFTELD, 

Quartermaster  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Lackawanna."  Remarkable  coolness  as  captain  of  a 
gun  in  holding  on  to  the  lock-string  and  waiting  for  some 
time  whilst  alongside  of  the  rebel  iron-clad  "  Tennessee," 
and  firing  so  that  the  shot  might  enter  her  port. 


WILLIAM  GAEDNEE, 

Seaman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Oneida." 
Behaved  so  coolly  under  fire  as  to  draw  the  particular 
attention  of  the  executive  officer  of  the  vessel. 

JOHN  E.  JONES, 

Quartermaster  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"Oneida."  Stationed  at  the  wheel;  was  wounded.  After 
the  wheel-ropes  were  shot  away,  he  went  on  the  poop  to 
assist  at  the  signals,  and  remained  there  until  ordered  to 
reeve  new  wheel-ropes. 

THOMAS  KENDEICK, 

Coxswain  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Oneida." 
A  volunteer  from  the  "  Bienville."  Attracted  the  partic- 
ular attention  of  the  executive  officer  of  the  "  Oneida  " 
by  his  excellent  conduct. 

WILLIAM  NEWLAND, 

Ordinary  Seaman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"Oneida."  First  loader  of  the  after  nine-inch  gun. 
Mentioned  as  having  behaved  splendidly,  and  as  being 


116  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

distinguished  on  board  for  good  conduct  and  faithful  dis- 
charge of  all  duties. 

DAVID  NAYLOR, 

Landsman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"Oneida."  Powder-boy  at  the  thirty-pounder  Parrott 
rifle.  His  passing-box  having  been  knocked  out  of  his 
hand,  fell  overboard  into  a  boat  alongside.  He  imme- 
diately jumped  overboard,  recovered  it,  and  returned  to 
his  station. 

JOHN  PRESTON, 

Landsman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Oneida."  Although  severely  wounded,  he  remained  at 
his  gun  until  obliged  to  go  to  the  surgeon,  to  whom  he 
reported  himself  as  slightly  hurt.  He  assisted  in  taking 
care  of  the  wounded  below,  and  wanted  to  return  to  his 
station,  but  on  examining  him  it  was  found  that  he  was 
wounded  quite  severely  in  both  eyes. 

JAMES  S.  ROANTREE, 

Sergeant  of  Marines  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"Oneida."  Conducted  himself  with  distinguished  gal- 
lantry, and  is  mentioned  as  particularly  deserving  of 
notice. 

JAMES  SHERIDAN, 

Quartermaster  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer 
"  Oneida."  Captain  of  the  after  nine-inch  gun ;  was 
wounded  in  several  places,  but  remained  at  his  gun  until 
the  firing  ceased,  and  then  supplied  the  place  of  the  Sig- 
nal Quartermaster,  who  had  been  injured  by  a  fall. 


APPENDIX.  117 

CHARLES  B.  WORAM, 

Seaman  on  board  of  the  United  States  steamer  "  Oneida." 
Acting  as  aid  to  the  executive  officer.  Distinguished 
himself  for  his  cool  courage,  and  carried  his  orders  intel- 
ligently and  correctly. 


ANDREW  JONES, 

Chief  Boatswain's  Mate  on  board  of  the  United  States 
steamer  "  Chickasaw."  Although  his  enlistment  had  ex- 
pired, he  volunteered  from  the  "  Vincennes"  for  the  bat- 
tles in  Mobile  Bay,  and  was  honorably  mentioned  by  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  "  Chickasaw." 


118  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  LETTERS   SENT  FROM  HEAD-QUARTERS 
MILITARY  DIVISION    WEST  MISSISSIPPI. 

HEAD-QUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  WEST  MISSISSIPPI,  ) 
NEW  ORLEANS,  LA.,  August  9,  18G4.  5 


MAJOR-GENERAL  H.  W.  HALLECK, 

Chief  of  Staff,  Washington,  D.  C. 

SIR  :  Fort  Gaines,  with  forty-six  commissioned  offi- 
cers, and  eight  hundred  and  eighteen  enlisted  men,  with 
its  armament,  twenty-six  guns,  intact,  and  provisions  for 
twelve  months,  has  surrendered  (unconditionally).  It 
was  occupied  by  our  own  forces  at  eight  o'clock,  yester- 
day morning. 

Fort  Powell  was  abandoned,  its  garrison  escaping  to 
Cedar  Point.  Its  armament,  eighteen  guns,  is  in  con- 
dition for  immediate  service. 

General  Granger,  reinforced  by  two  thousand  men, 
will  immediately  invest  Fort  Morgan,  leaving  garrisons  in 
forts  Gaines  and  Powell. 

E.  R.  S.  CANBY, 

Major- General,  commanding. 


APPENDIX.  119 


HEAD-QUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  WEST  MISSISSIPPI, 
NEW  ORLEANS,  LA.,  August  24,  1864. 


MAJOR-GENERAL  H.  W.  HALLECK, 

Chief  of  Staff,  Washington,  D.   C. 

SIR  :  By  the  surrender  of  Fort  Morgan  we  have  about 
six  hundred  prisoners,  sixty  pieces  of  artillery,  and  a 
large  quantity  of  material.  In  the  twelve  hours  pre- 
ceding the  surrender,  about  three  thousand  shells  were 
thrown  into  the  fort.  The  citadel  and  barracks  are 
entirely  destroyed,  the  works  generally  much  injured. 
Many  of  the  guns  were  spiked,  the  carriages  burned,  and 
much  of  the  ammunition  destroyed  by  the  rebels. 

The  losses  in  the  army  were  one  man  killed  and  seven 
wounded. 

E.  R.  S.  CANBY, 

Major-Creneral,  commanding. 
B.  B.  K. 
H.E. 


120  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  CONFEDERATE   OFFICIAL  REPORTS. 

MOBILE,  August  7,  1864. 

COLONEL  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  evacuation 
and  destruction  of  Fort  Powell,  on  the  night  of  Au- 
gust 5th. 

When  the  enemy's  fleet  passed  into  the  bay,  the  gar- 
rison consisted  of  two  (2)  companies  of  the  Twenty-first 
Alabama  Regiment,  and  part  of  Culpepper's  Battery,  — 
in  all  about  one  hundred  and  forty  men.  Water  for 
thirty  days  was  protected  from  the  enemy's  fire  in  the 
bomb-proof,  and  other  stores  for  two  months.  The  front 
face  of  the  work  was  nearly  completed  and  in  a  defensi- 
ble condition,  mounting  one  eight-inch  columbiad,  one  six 
and  four-tenths-inch  rifle,  and  two  seven-inch  Brooks 
guns.  The  face  looking  towards  Gaines  and  Little  Dau- 
phine  Island  was  half  finished.  The  parapet  was  nearly 
complete,  but  traverses  and  galleries  had  only  been 
framed.  The  rear  had  only  been  commenced.  Two  guns 
were  mounted,  —  one  ten-inch  columbiad,  and  one  seven- 
inch  Brooks  rifled.  They  were  without  parapets,  and 
exposed  from  the  platform  up.  This  part  of  the  fort  was 
strewed  with  a  large  quantity  of  lumber,  which  was  being 
used  in  the  construction  of  galleries,  magazines,  &c. 
During  the  morning,  the  fort  was  shelled  from  five  gun- 
boats in  the  sound,  at  long  range.  The  fort  was  hit  five 
times,  but  no  particular  damage  was  done. 


APPENDIX.  121 

I  replied  with  the  four  guns  bearing  on  that  side,  with 
what  effect  is  not  known.  About  2.30  p.  M.,  one  of  the 
enemy's  monitors  came  up  within  seven  hundred  yards 
of  the  fort,  firing  rapidly  with  shell  and  grape.  I  replied 
from  the  seven-inch  Brooks  gun  (razeed)  on  the  southern 
angle.  It  was  protected  by  an  unfinished  traverse, 
which  however  would  not  permit  it  to  be  depressed  suf- 
ficiently for  ricochet  firing.  The  gun  was  loaded  with 
great  difficulty,  there  being  no  platform  for  the  gunners 
in  the  rear,  owing  to  which,  and  the  delay  occasioned  by 
a  sponge-head  pulling  off  in  the  gun,  I  succeeded  in  firing 
but  three  shots  from  it  while  the  iron-clad  was  in  range. 
One  shot  struck  on  the  bow,  with  no  apparent  effect. 
The  iron-clad' s  fire  made  it  impossible  to  man  the  two 
guns  in  the  rear,  and  I  made  no  attempt  to  do  so. 

The  elevating  machine  of  the  ten-inch  columbiad  was 
broken  by  a  fragment  of  shell.  A  shell  entered  one  of 
the  sally-ports,  which  are  not  traversed  in  the  rear,  passed 
entirely  through  the  bomb-proof,  and  buried  itself  in  the 
opposite  wall ;  fortunately  it  did  not  explode.  The  shells 
exploding  in  the  face  of  the  work  displaced  the  sand  so 
rapidly,  that  I  was  convinced,  that  unless  the  iron-clad 
was  driven  off,  it  would  explode  my  magazine  and  make 
the  bomb-proof  chambers  untenable,  in  two  days  at  the 
furthest.  To  drive  it  from  its  position  I  believed  impos- 
sible with  my  imperfect  work,  and  so  telegraphed  to 
Colonel  Anderson,  commanding  Fort  Gaines,  that  unless 
I  could  evacuate  I  would  be  compelled  to  surrender 
within  forty-eight  hours.  His  reply  was,  "  Save  your 
garrison  when  your  fort  is  no  longer  tenable." 

At  the  time  his  despatch  was  received  it  was  becoming 
dark.  The  fleet  had  not  moved  up  to  intercept  my  com- 


122  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY, 

munication  with  Cedar  Point ;  I  could  not  expect  to  have 
another  opportunity  for  escape,  and  I  decided  promptly 
that  it  would  be  better  to  save  my  command  and  destroy 
the  fort,  than  to  allow  both  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  as  they  certainly  would  have  done  in  two  days. 
The  tide  being  low,  I  marched  my  command  to  Cedar 
Point  without  interruption  or  discovery.  In  one  narrow 
channel  I  found  the  water  overhead,  and  in  crossing  it  I 
damaged  my  ammunition  and  lost  a  few  muskets  (a 
special  report  of  which  will  be  made). 

Lieutenant  Savage  was  left  in  the  fort,  with  orders  to 
prepare  a  train  and  match,  to  explode  the  magazine  as 
soon  as  he  discovered  that  I  had  gained  the  mainland. 
Lieutenant  Jeffers,  Acting  Ordnance  Officer,  was  directed 
to  spike  the  guns  at  the  same  time.  The  fort  was  blown 
up  at  10.30  P.  M.  Every  man  was  brought  off  safely  to 
Cedar  Point,  thence  to  the  city. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  M.  WILLIAMS, 
Lieutenant- Colonel,  commanding. 

COL.  G.  G.  GAENEE,  Chief  of  Staff. 


HEAD-QUARTERS  DISTRICT  OF  THE  GULF,      > 
MOBILE,  ALABAMA,  August  9,  18G4.  5 

GENEEAL:  While  at  Meridian  on  the  3d  instant,  I 
received  despatches  indicating  a  land  and  naval  attack  on 
the  lower  forts.  On  the  4th  instant,  a  force  was  thrown 
on  Dauphine  Island  estimated  at  two  thousand  (2000). 
On  Friday,  the  5th  instant,  the  enemy's  fleet  attacked 
Fort  Morgan,  at  6.30  A.  M.  After  several  hours'  bom- 


APPENDIX.  123 

bardment.  the  whole  fleet,  except  one  large  monitor,  which 
was  sunk  by  our  guns,  ran  by  the  fort  and  entered  the 
bay.  They  numbered  (14)  fourteen  wooden  ships,  and 
(3)  three  iron-clads.  The  Tennessee,  and  little  gunboats 
Selma,  Gaines,  and  Morgan,  were  soon  overpowered. 
The  conduct  of  the  Admiral,  in  the  Tennessee,  and  of 
the  Selma,  Captain  Pat.  Murphy,  is  spoken  of  as  devot- 
edly gallant. 

On  the  same  day  a  monitor  ran  close  up  to  Fort  Powell 
and  cannonaded  it  for  several  hours;  (5)  five  gunboats 
in  Mississippi  Sound  bombarded  it  at  long  range.  No 
serious  injury  was  done  to  the  fort,  besides  disabling  the 
carriage  of  a  ten-inch  gun.  No  officer  or  man  was 
wounded.  That  night,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Williams,  the 
same  commander  who,  in  a  spirited  manner,  sustained  the 
attack  of  Farragut  some  months  ago,  evacuated  the  fort, 
blew  it  up,  and  brought  the  garrison  to  this  city.  Urgent 
orders  were  sent  to  Colonel  C.  D.  Anderson,  Twenty-first 
Alabama,  the  commander  of  Gaines,  to  hold  his  fort  to 
the  last  extremity. 

He  surrendered  his  fort  with  about  six  hundred  (600) 
good  troops  in  it,  on  yesterday  morning. 

The  commander  and  garrison  of  Fort  Morgan  evince  a 
noble  spirit  of  resolution. 

Grant's  Pass  is  now  open  for  transports,  and  Mobile 
may  be  attacked  in  a  short  time.  Henceforth  the  place 
must  always  be  held  ready  for  attack.  There  are  an 
unusual  number  of  women  and  children  here ;  they  will 
not  go  away  until  the  shells  begin  to  fall,  when  it  may  be 
too  late.  There  is  six  months'  supply  of  victuals  here  for 
a  garrison.  The  ordnance  supplies  are  still  insufficient 
for  siege.  The  citizens,  employe's,  reserves,  militia,  (2) 


124  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

two  Louisiana  regiments  of  heavy  artillery,  (6)  six  com- 
panies of  cavalry,  and  a  battalion  of  men  selected  from 
companies  of  correction,  in  all  about  (4,000),  four  thou- 
sand, now  man  the  works. 

A  regiment  of  reserves,  and  about  (300)  three  hundred 
artillerists  are  en  route.  Other  reserves  are  under  orders 
to  come  here — (say  1,000).  Last  night  I  received  a 
despatch  from  my  most  intelligent  New  Orleans  cor- 
respondent, stating  Canby's  force  at  3,000.  If  this  be 
so,  no  immediate  attack  upon  the  city  is  probable. 
Forrest  telegraphs  me  that  the  force  advancing  down  the 
Mississippi  Central  road  is  about  15,000  men.  It  has 
forced  Chalmers  back  towards  Oxford.  Forrest  has  about 
(7,000)  seven  thousand  veteran  cavalry.  I  have  ordered 
General  Wirt  Adams  and  Liddell  to  reinforce  him,  if 
possible.  They  may  send  him  1,000  to  1,500  men,  and 
the  State  reserves  and  militia  of  Mississippi  may  give  him 
1,500  more.  With  this  I  think  he  can  retard,  and  per- 
haps defeat  the  enemy.  I  go  to  Meridian  this  evening. 
No  tidings  yet  of  General  Taylor,  or  of  troops  crossing. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

DABNEY  H.  MAURY, 

Major-General,  commanding. 


APPENDIX.  125 

HEAD-QUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OP  ALABAMA,  MISSISSIPPI,  j 
AND  EASTERN  LOUISIANA, 

MOBILE,  ALA.,  August  12,  1864.      j 

MY  DEAR  Sin:  I  received  to-day  your  despatch  in- 
quiring for  the  particulars  concerning  the  surrender  of 
Fort  Gaines.  I  have  answered  as  to  the  main  points. 
When  the  fleet  first  appeared  to  be  increasing  before  Fort 
Morgan,  I  was  in  Meridian,  the  head-quarters  of  the 
department  to  which  I  had  recently  been  temporarily 
assigned.  On  my  return  to  Mobile,  on  the  3d  instant,  I 
found  that,  in  consequence  of  the  appearance  of  a  land 
force  off  Dauphine  Island,  the  garrisons  of  forts  Gaines 
and  Powell  had  been  increased  by  sending  some  local 
troops  (Pelham  Cadets),  marines,  reserves,  heavy  artil- 
lery —  in  fact,  almost  every  available  soldier  at  that  time 
in  Mobile.  It  was  then  believed  those  would  hold  out 
against  any  attack  likely  to  be  made  on  them,  and  it  was 
hoped  the  fleet  would  not  enter  the  bay. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Williams,  of  Fort  Powell,  aban- 
doned and  blew  up  his  work  without  having  a  man 
injured,  nor  had  any  injury  been  inflicted  on  any  part  of 
his  fort.  He  reports  one  of  his  gun-carriages  disabled, 
and  one  gun  temporarily  out  of  use  by  careless  loading. 
He  had  under  his  bomb-proof  fully  thirty  (30)  days' 
water,  and  two  months'  provisions.  He  had  hand-gre- 
nades, revolvers,  muskets,  and  howitzers  to  defend  his 
fort  against  launches,  and  eight  (8)  heavy  guns  to  use 
against  the  ships.  The  fort  had  just  been  connected,  by 
telegraph,  with  Fort  Gaines  and  with  Mobile.  On  the 
morning  of  the  5th,  there  were  seventy  (70)  negroes, 
with  trenching  tools,  in  the  fort;  the  guns  on  the  east 
face  of  the  work  were  mounted  and  in  fighting  order,  but 


126  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

were  not  yet  covered  by  the  parapet,  and  the  men  serving 
them  would  have  been  exposed,  as  are  sailors  on  an  ordi- 
nary man-of-war. 

It  is  altogether  probable  that  a  faithful  service  of  their 
battery  for  half  an  hour  would  have  driven  off  or  sunk 
the  only  boat  attacking  its  eastern  face,  and  that  it  might 
have  been  held  long  enough  to  compel  the  fleet  to  put  to 
sea,  or  at  least  to  enable  Mobile  to  prepare  fully  for  land 
attack. 

Fort  Gaines  was  garrisoned  by  six  (6)  companies 
Twenty-first  Alabama  regiment,  two  (2)  companies  First 
Alabama  battalion,  forty  (40)  Pelham  Cadets,  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  (120)  reserves,  and  about  forty  (40) 
marines — in  all  about  (600)  six  hundred  good  troops. 
The  fort  was  well  supplied  for  (6)  six  months.  The 
three  (3)  ten-inch  guns  were  dismounted*  during  the 
bombardment ;  twenty  (20)  guns  remained  in  good  order. 
The  fort  was  uninjured,  and  could  have  long  withstood 
attack.  The  enclosed  copy  of  General  Page's  despatch 
reveals  all  I  know  of  the  surrender. 

The  important  consequence  of  these  misfortunes  is, 
that  Mobile  is  henceforth  liable  to  attack  without  warn- 
ing, and  must  always  be  ready  for  siege.  I  have  hereto- 
fore, as  you  know,  sent  from  here  troops  and  supplies  to 
other  points,  which  seemed  more  important  or  more  im- 
minently pressed;  henceforth  I  must  collect  and  hold 
here  everything  necessary  for  a  beleaguered  city. 

The  heavy  armament  calls  for  a  great  deal  of  ammuni- 
tion. The  outer  line  —  Morgan,  Gaines,  and  Powell  — 

*  Temporarily  dismounted  during  the  bombardment  by  the  carelessness 
of  the  cannoneers ;  afterwards  remounted,  according  to  information  just 
received. 


APPENDIX.  127 

was  supplied  with  three  hundred  (300)  rounds  per  gun. 
The  guns  near  the  city  have  not  more  than  two  hundred 
(200).  The  total  number  of  men  now  under  arms  in  the 
whole  district  is  about  (6,000)  six  thousand  —  about 
(1,000)  one  thousand  of  whom  have  been  under  fire,  and 
a  large  portion  are  citizens  of  the  place. 

The  city  has  probably  more  women  and  children  in  it 
than  at  any  time  since  the  war  began. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

DABNEY  H.  MAURY, 

Major- General,  commanding. 

HON.  JAMES  A.  SEDDON,  Secretary  of  War,  0.  S.  N., 
Richmond,  Fa. 


HEAD-QUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OP  ALABAMA,  \ 
MISSISSIPPI,  AND  EAST  LOUISIANA, 

MOBILE,  ALA.,  September  1,  1864.  ) 

GENERAL  SAMUEL  COOPER, 

Adjutant  and  Inspector-  General,  C.  S.  A.,  Richmond,  Va. 

GENERAL  :  When  I  was  assigned  to  the  command  of 
this  department,  July  26th,  it  had  been  stripped  of  most 
of  its  troops  to  strengthen  the  Army  of  Tennessee.  In 
Mobile,  there  was  not  a  soldier,  except  the  artillery  gar- 
risons of  the  forts  and  bay  batteries.  Forrest,  with  six 
thousand  effective  cavalry,  guarded  North  Mississippi 
against  a  heavy  column  advancing  from  Memphis.  Gen- 
eral Wirt  Adams,  with  five  or  six  hundred  cavalry, 
watched  Vicksburg  ;  Colonel  Scott,  with  twelve  hundred 
cavalry,  held  East  Louisiana.  A  few  disorganized  frag- 


128  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

ments  of  brigades,  numbering  a  thousand  men,  perhaps, 
with  some  companies  of  state  reserves,  constituted  my 
force  in  North  and  Central  Alabama. 

The  enemy  prepared  to  move  on  Mobile  and  North 
Mississippi  simultaneously. 

On  the  5th  of  August,  a  very  formidable  fleet  of  iron- 
clad and  wooden  ships,  led  by  Admiral  Farragut,  after  a 
fierce  bombardment  of  Fort  Morgan,  ran  past  that  for- 
tress, and  entered  Mobile  Bay.  One  iron-clad,  the  Te- 
cumseh,  was  sunk  by  a  torpedo,*  and  a  small  gunboat, 
the  Philippi,  was  destroyed  by  our  fire.  On  the  same 
day,  a  monitor  ran  up  within  seven  hundred  yards  of 
Fort  Powell,  and  bombarded  it  for  several  hours.  The 
garrison  suffered  no  loss;  the  fort  sustained  no  serious 
damage.  That  night,  the  commander  evacuated  and 
blew  up  the  fort,  thus  leaving  Grant's  Pass  open  to  the 
enemy.  He  is  now  undergoing  trial  before  a  court- 
martial. 

On  the  evening  of  August  3d,  the  enemy  had  landed  a 
force  on  Dauphine  Island,  in  order  to  besiege  and  reduce 
Fort  Gaines.  General  Page  called  for  reinforcements,  to 
enable  him  to  attack  this  force,  which  at  that  time  he 
supposed  to  be  small.  Every  available  man  was  sent 
from  Mobile  to  Fort  Gaines.  The  entrance  of  the  fleet 
into  the  bay  prevented  their  return  to  the  city.  They 
were  too  few  to  make  the  proposed  attack,  but  were  too 
many  for  the  proper  siege  garrison  of  Fort  Gaines,  and 
for  the  unexplained  precipitate  surrender  made  by 
Colonel  Anderson  of  a  work  which,  faithfully  defended, 
could  have  held  the  enemy  before  it  at  least  as  long  as 
Fort  Morgan. 

*  General  Page  reports  that  it  was  sunk  by  the  guns  of  Fort  Morgan. 


APPENDIX.  129 

After  firing  a  few  shots,  Colonel  Anderson,  without 
authority,  entered  into  negotiations  with  the  enemy,  and 
on  the  7th  instant,  the  Confederate  flag  was  lowered,  and 
the  ensign  of  the  enemy  raised  and  saluted.  General 
Page  reports  that  he  visited  Fort  Gaines,  and  used  every 
proper  means  to  prevent  its  surrender.  He  could  not 
with  propriety  assume  command  at  Fort  Gaines,  and 
remain  absent  from  his  more  important  command  at  Fort 
Morgan.  He  ordered  Colonel  Anderson  to  be  relieved 
from  command,  and  forbade  any  surrender  unless  the 
Federals  should  return  with  Colonel  Anderson  to  the 
fort.  Nothing  more  is  known  of  this  unfortunate  affair. 
It  enabled  the  enemy  at  once  to  concentrate  all  his  efforts 
upon  Fort  Morgan,  which  was  invested  and  besieged.  In 
the  course  of  a  few  days  all  communication  was  cut  off 
with  that  fortress,  and  we  could  only  infer  anything  of 
its  fate  from  the  distant  sound  of  the  cannon,  and  the 
uncertain  reports  of  our  scouts  along  the  bay  shore. 

After  sustaining  a  very  heavy  attack  by  the  army  and 
the  fleet,  General  Page  surrendered  his  fort  and  garrison 
on  the  28d  instant.  From  the  statements  of  the  enemy, 
we  learn  that  their  batteries  had  crowned  the  glacis. 
The  citadel  had  repeatedly  been  set  on  fire,  and  the  flag 
of  the  fort  was  not  lowered  until  the  work  was  no  longer 
tenable.  General  Page  is  also  reported  to  have  destroyed 
everything  in  the  fort  which  could  be  of  service  to  the 
enemy  before  surrendering, 

I  am,  General,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

DABNEY   H.   MAURY, 

Major-  G-eneral,  commanding. 
9 


130  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAT. 

FORT  MORGAN,  12  M.,  August  23,  1864. 

MAJOR-GENERAL  D.  H.  MATJRY, 

or  Commanding  Officer,  District  Mobile. 

GENERAL  :  I  held  the  fort  as  long  as  it  was  tenable  ; 
the  parallels  of  the  enemy  had  reached  the  glacis ;  the 
walls  were  breached ;  all  the  guns  save  two  were  dis- 
abled ;  the  wood-work  of  the  citadel,  being  repeatedly 
fired  by  the  shells  of  the  enemy,  endangered  the  maga- 
zines. All  my  powder  was  destroyed,  every  gun  effec- 
tually spiked,  and  otherwise  damaged,  and  indeed  the 
whole  fort  (everything  that  could  prove  of  value  to  the 
enemy)  is  now  a  mass  of  debris. 

I  turn  this  over  to  their  forces  at  two  o'clock  to-day. 
The  garrison  behaved  gallantly,  and  gained  honor  for 
themselves  and  country. 

Respectfully,  &c., 

R.  L.  PAGE,  Brigadier-General. 


OFFICE  TORPEDO  BUREAU,  RICHMOND,  August  15,  1864. 

HON.  JAMES  A.  SEDDON,  Secretary  of  War,  C.  S. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  the  within  telegram, 
with  the  remark  that,  previous  to  leaving  Mobile,  I  had 
sixty-seven  (G7)  torpedoes  planted  where  this  one  acted, 
and  had  nine  (9)  sub-marine  mortar  batteries  under  wav 
(three  completed)  to  close  the  main  channel,  such  as  the 
enemy  report  kept  them  out  of  Charleston  ;  they  being 
unable  to  remove  them. 


APPENDIX.  131 

But  my  instructions  and  wishes  were  frustrated  after  I 
left ;  the  place  left  open,  and  the  enemy  made  use  of  it. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

G.  J.  RAINS, 
Brigadier-  General,  superintendent. 


TELEGRAM. 

Received  at  Richmond,  August  13,  1864,  at  —  o'clock, 
—  minutes : 

By  telegraph,  from  Mobile,  13,  to  General  G.  J.  Rains. 

Monitor  Tecumseh  was  sunk  by  torpedo  in  thirty  seconds. 

F.  S.  BAEEETT. 

9  880 
G. 

[INDORSEMENT.] 

From   Lieutenant   Barrett,  in   charge  of  torpedo   de- 
fences at  Mobile,  Alabama. 


132 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 


ARMAMENT  AND  WEIGHT  OF  PROJECTILES  OF 
UNION  VESSELS  ENGAGED  IN  THE  BATTLE 
OF  MOBILE  BAY. 


NAME. 

GUNS. 

Solid 
Shot. 

Cored 

Shot. 

Shell. 

Shrap 
neL 

Grape 

Canis- 

toi. 

Ibs. 

Ibs. 

Ibs. 

Ibs. 

Its. 

Ibs. 

Brooklyn  

2  100-Pdr.  Parrotts. 
2    60-Pclr.  Parrotts. 

70 
60 

80 
50 

86 

20  IX-inch  Guns. 

90 

73 

7L'4 

76 

74 

70 

Total  Weight. 

2060 

1460 

1710 

1672 

1480 

1400 

Octorora  

1  100-Pdr.  Parrott. 

70 

80 

86 

2  32-Pdr.  38  Cut. 

32 

M 

n 

334 

30 

.',  IX-inch. 

'JO 

73 

m 

76 

74 

70 

t  -l-l'drs. 

20 

M 

Total  Weight. 

404 

219 

429 

479 

289 

270 

Hartford  

2  100-Pdr.  Parrotts. 

70 

M 

M 

1  ::it-lMr.  Parrott. 

80 

29 

18  IX-inch. 

90 

73 

724 

7.-, 

74 

70 

Total  Weight. 

1790 

i:u4 

1494 

1522 

1332 

1260 

Metacomet— 

2  100-Pdr.  Parrotts. 

70 

80 

4  IX-inch. 

90 

73 

7H 

75 

74 

70 

2  24-lMrs. 

20 

26 

17 

2  12-Pdrs. 

10 

13 

11 

Total  Weight, 

500 

292 

510 

878 

2!»i; 

836 

Bidunonfl.- 

1  100-Pdr.  Parrott. 

7" 

80 

1  30-Pdr.  Parrott. 

30 

29 

18  IX-inch. 

90 

73 

"-'4 

75 

74 

70 

Total  Weight. 

1720 

1314 

1414 

1  :ir,o 

1332 

12GO 

Port  Royal- 

1  100-Pdr.  Parrott. 

70 

80 

M 

1  X-inch. 

124 

103 

101 

69 

•_'  :.n-lMrs. 

50 

50 

.'  IX-inch. 

90 

73 

724 

75 

74 

70 

•2  LM-l'drs. 

20 

26 

Total  \\Yigh  t. 

474 

146 

468 

389 

148 

209 

APPENDIX. 


133 


NAME. 

GUNS. 

Solid 
Shot. 

Cored 
Shot. 

Shell. 

Shrap 
nel. 

Grape 

Canis- 
ter. 

Ibs. 

Ibs. 

IBs. 

Its. 

Its. 

Its. 

Lackawam.. 

1  150-Pdr.  Parrott. 

135 

135 

1  50-Pdr. 

50 

50 

2  Xl-inch. 

166 

136 

141 

125 

150 

4  IX-inch. 

90 

73 

724 

75 

74 

70 

2  24-Pdrs. 

20 

26 

17 

4  12-Pdrs. 

12 

11 

Total  Weight. 

877 

292 

835 

634 

546 

658 

Seiinole  

1  30-Pdr.  Parrott. 

30 

29 

6  32-Pdrs. 

32 

26 

32 

334 

30 

1  Xl-inch. 

166 

136 

141 

125 

150 

Total  Weight. 

388 

321 

333 

326 

330 

Monongaliela  • 

1  150-Pdr.  Parrott. 

135 

135 

2  Xl-inch. 

166 

136 

141 

125 

150 

5  32-Pdrs.    57  Cut. 

32 

26 

32 

334 

30 

2  24-Pdrs. 

20 

26 

17 

1  12-Pdr. 

12 

11 

Total  Weight. 

627 

589 

494 

417 

495 

Keimslisc  

1  20-Pdr.  Parrott. 

19 

20 

1  Xl-inch. 

166 

136 

141 

125 

150 

2  24-Pdrs. 

20 

26 

24 

17 

1  12-Pdr. 

12 

12 

11 

Total  Weight, 

166 

207 

225 

173 

195 

Ossinfie... 

1  100-Pdr.  Parrott. 

70 

80 

1  Xl-inch. 

166 

136 

141 

125 

150 

6  32-Pdrs.   42  Cut. 

32 

26 

32 

33 

30 

3  30-Pdr.  Parrotts. 

30 

29 

2  12-Pdrs. 

12 

12 

12+ 

104+ 

Total  Weight. 

542 

483 

357  + 

323 

351  + 

jfusjfji  

1  Xl-inch. 

166 

136 

141 

125 

2  20-Pdr.  Parrotts. 

19 

20 

2  32-Pdrs.   67  Cut. 

32 

26 

32 

334 

30 

1  12-Pdr. 

12 

11 

Total  Weight. 

230 

238 

245 

192 

71 

134 


THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 


NAME. 

GUNS. 

Solid 
Shot. 

Its. 

Cored 

Shot. 

U>i. 

Shell. 
16s. 

Shrap- 
nel. 

Its. 

Grape 
Its. 

Canis- 
ter. 

Its. 

flnpjrta  .. 

2  XT-inch. 

166 

136 

141 

125 

150 

3  30-Pdr.  Parrotts. 
4  32-Pdrs.   33  Cut. 
I  12-Pdr. 

30 
32 

29 
26 

u 

32 

334 

30 
11 

Total  Weiglit. 

550 

475 

410 

384 

431 

GalEna  .. 

1  100-Pdr  Parrott 

70 

80 

86 

1  30-Pdr.  Parrott. 
8  IX-inch. 
1  12-Pdr. 

30 
90 

73 

29 
724 
12 

75 

74 

70 
11 

Total  Weiglit. 

820 

584 

701 

686 

592 

571 

TecuiselL-. 

2  XV-inch. 

440 

400 

350 

358 

332 

197 

Total  Weight. 

880 

800 

700 

716 

664 

394 

Manhattan— 

2  XV-inch. 

440 

400 

350 

358 

332 

197 

Total  Weight, 

880 

800 

700 

716 

664 

394 

Winnebap... 

4  Xl-inch. 

166 

136 

141 

125 

150 

Total  Weight. 

664 

544 

564 

500 

600 

CUctosaw  ... 

4  Xl-inch. 

166 

136 

141 

125 

150 

Total  Weight. 

664 

544 

564 

500 

600 

The  armament  of  Farragut's  fleet  in  1864  was  consid- 
ered, both  in  Europe  and  America,  exceedingly  formida- 
ble. How  guns  have  increased  in  size  since  then  the 
following  extract  from  Chief  Engineer  King's  valuable 
"  Report  on  European  Ships  of  War  "  will  show.  By  it 
the  reader  will  see  that  the  "Intrepid"  throws  at  a 
broadside  rather  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  weight  of 
metal  thrown  by  our  eighteen  vessels. 


APPENDIX. 


135 


"  The  armament  of  the  Inflexible  will  be  composed  of 
four  of  the  heaviest  guns  (except  those  making  for  the 
Italian  vessels)  ever  constructed,  of  which  the  experi- 
mental eighty-one  ton  gun  completed  at  Woolwich,  and 
tested,  is  the  type.  They  are  capable  of  being  fired,  all 
four  together,  at  an  enemy  ahead,  astern,  or  abeam,  and, 
in  pairs,  toward  every  point  of  the  compass. 

"  The  gun  is  rifled  with  thirteen  grooves,  each  having  an 
increasing  pitch  from  0  to  1  in  thirty-five  calibres.  The 


Number  of 
Rounds. 

°  I 
c/5  S> 

Weight  of 
Charge. 

Weight  of 
Projectile. 

Muzzle  Velocity 
per  Second. 

Mean  Pressure 
in  Gun. 

Total  Energy 
developed. 

Cubic  Inches. 

Pounds. 

Pounds. 

Feet. 

Tons  per 
Sq.  Inch. 

Foot-tons. 

1 

1.5 

340 

1,700 

1,486 

20.1 

26,030 

2 

1.5 

350 

1,700 

1,505 

20.4 

26,740 

3 

1.5 

350 

1,700 

1,502 

20.3 

26,630 

4 

1.5 

350 

1,700 

1,467 

19.6 

25,406 

5 

1.5 

350 

1,700 

1,475 

18.4 

25,683 

C 

1.5 

350 

1,700 

1,493 

21.0 

26,314 

7 

1.5 

360 

1,700 

1,487 

18.8 

20,103 

8 

1.5 

370 

1,700 

1,495 

19.9 

26,385 

9 

1.5 

350 

1,700 

1,518 

20.5 

27,203 

10 

1.5 

370 

1,700 

1,523 

20.3 

27,383 

11 

1.5 

360 

1,700 

1,519 

21.3 

27,239 

12 

1.5 

360 

1,700 

1,518 

20.0 

27,203 

13 

1.5 

370 

1,700 

1,519 

19.8 

27,239 

14 

1.5 

370 

1,700 

1,517 

20.7 

27,168 

service  powder-charge  is  three  hundred  and  seventy 
pounds  of  1.5  inch  powder.  The  weight  of  the  projectile 
for  the  service-shell  is  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
pounds,  and  the  bursting  charge  about  one  hundred 
pounds  of  powder.  The  details  of  the  series  of  proof- 


136  THE  BATTLE   OF  MOBILE  BAY. 

trials  at  Woolwich,  also  the  tests  at  Shoeburyness,  have 
been  widely  published.  Still,  for  reference,  it  is  believed 
advisable  to  give  (p.  185)  the  results  of  the  trials  last 
made  with  the  calibre  of  sixteen  inches  —  that  at  which 
the  gun  is  to  be  used  in  actual  warfare." 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


URL 


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